PEOPLE could soon be living in the middle of an industrial estate if plans to convert former offices into flats are approved.

Developer Oaklawn wants to use new legislation – which allows unused offices to be converted into housing, provided there are no changes to the outside appearance – to turn Black Horse House, in Bentalls, Basildon, into 28 flats.

The plans have sparked fears of a precedent being set of flats being built in unsuitable locations, in the heart of heavy industrial areas.

It comes as Shalam UK, which owns the site neighbouring Black Horse House, has submitted a planning application to Basildon Council to partially demolish some smaller offices and develop a new light industrial warehouse.

This means if the flats go ahead, residents could be living next door to the base of one of the biggest plastic container producers in the world.

Byron Taylor, Basildon Council’s Labour group leader, said: “My first reaction is it’s an industrial park. It’s where we put businesses and not a residential location.”

Tory council leader Phil Turner raised concerns about housing people on an industrial estate, but said allowing the homes could safeguard the green belt from development.

He added: “I’m not sure it’s a good use of office space and I think the developer wants to cash in on the new opportunity to change office buildings into residential.

“People need houses and we have some newhomes starting to come into the borough, but some might see this as a good use of underused office blocks.

“However, residents also need employment and we are keen to give them the opportunities they are looking for. That means we need more, not less, industrial and commercial buildings.

“This is only 28 units, but if there was a swell of conversions to residential, then it risks attracting other services as well and so a gradual erosion to a low density employment area.”

DHA Planning, the agent for Oaklawn, argued the location of the site was ideal because of its close proximity to the town centre and the ample parking available.

The developers behind plans to convert Trafford House, in Cherrydown East, Basildon, into a block of flats also used the new legislation to push its scheme through.