A shopping and housing development in Laindon has been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Basildon Council's West Basildon area committee backed the application, for a site off Willowfield, after hearing that "local" shops could encourage people to walk, rather than drive.

The proposed development includes a 1,000sq metre retail centre with 73 parking spaces.

A council officer recommended the plan be accepted, saying similar proposals for the site had been passed in 1997.

Steepleview Community Association said fencing should be provided between the community centre and the site, as well as a pedestrian route from the High Road North, and a pedestrian crossing on Willowfield.

However, there were some reservations voiced by local people. One resident said the scheme could cause problems with traffic.

Another resident said: "Surely in this day and age we should be clearing the streets of traffic, not filling them up with cars."

Another shopping area could provide a focus for vandals, he added. The officer said: "Hopefully, people will walk and cycle there, because it's their local centre."

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