Urgent talks have been called between Southend town planners and bosses of the Leigh Heritage Centre over plans for extending their headquarters.

Trustees of the centre want to build a toilet block for their heritage headquarters in the High Street, in old Leigh.

However, councillors on the development control sub-committee have thrown out the scheme because it clashed with the character of the old town conservation area.

Councillors were told the extension's shape was uneven and it would mean two windows would be taken out and replaced by just one.

Martin Brady, Southend Council's architect, added: "The drawings suggest that there might be a section of flat roof adjacent to Mike's Boatyard. How is this to be handled?"

However, a spokesman for the Leigh Society has defended the scheme. He said: "The need to provide staff facilities is essential to the future of the heritage centre."

Talks have been called for as soon as possible by the council in a bid to resolve concerns about the design of the extension.

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