Plans for 22 new flats in Hadleigh have been withdrawn.

Developer Eddie Ruffell met with Castle Point Council planning officers, chairman of planning, Dennis Williams (Lab, Canvey North) and members of the planning committee when he agreed to withdraw the original proposal.

However, he still plans to replace the old filling station and workshops in Hadleigh High Street and he will be submitting a new proposal which he hopes will be acceptable to members of the committee.

Mr Ruffell said: "I have now withdrawn my original proposal and my architect is working on a new one. He will also be drawing up an artistic view of the flats to present to Mr Burchill so he can see how the proposal will look.

"I hope this proposal will be acceptable. I want to provide something of architectural value for Hadleigh.

"It is a very important site in Hadleigh and the council want to make it a focal point.

"I will be putting forward the new plans as soon as possible."

Mr Williams said: "We are great believers in inviting applicants in to find a way forward and we believe we have here.

"The existing site is to be developed but we are still trying to turn Hadleigh into a conservation area and the development needs to be appropriate to the area.

"The meeting was very positive and the applicant fully understands our position.

"He has shown us some drawings of his new plans and they are very exciting. He has been very co-operative."

Mr Burchill had objected to the original plans on the grounds there were not enough parking facilities.

However, Mr Ruffell said he had introduced more parking spaces to the proposal.

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