PLANS to demolish a landmark convent on Canvey have been approved - despite 167 objections being lodged.

Outlining planning permission was granted on Tuesday night to demolish Walsingham House, on Lionel Road, and replace it with up to 32 homes.

A number of concerns had been raised about preserving the history of the site, and residents spoke out on concerns over additional congestion.

Trustees of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy submitted the plans for the site, which dates back to the 1920s.

A letter from a Stuart Close resident was read aloud during the meeting, raising concerns over the school run.

It read: “As a resident of Stuart Close we will be boxed in and unable to do the school run when the island comes to a standstill, as it regularly does.

“As it stands we have access through convent road and can turn left onto Long road to get to Lubbins Park school.

“Convent Road will be queuing with traffic from the new development site with traffic waiting to turn right onto Long Road. Lionel Road is blocked with traffic waiting to turn into the High Street. We will literally be blocked in with no way of getting our children to school.”

The convent on Canvey was originally set up in the 1920s by Anglican Nuns.

After the First World War, the Sisters of Mercy came to the island and took over the old convent. They set up a school on the site, and dedicated it to St Joseph.

The convent was built in 1971.

And councillors expressed an outpouring of sadness during the meeting - but admitted there is no “technical reason” to block the plans.

Councillor Wayne Johnson, said: “I visited the site and I found it an oasis, a tranquil oasis on Canvey, it is a lovely setting. I am sad in some ways that these plans have come forward and it will not be used in line with what it was previously used for particularly working with young people, but being a member of this committee means I cannot be sentimental.

“I would say, this is outlining consent, is this a challenge for the town council to come up with an idea to counter this? As a member of this committee, I can not come up with any technical objections.”