WANT to know what's changing in your town? Here are some planning applications for south Essex over the last week.

PLANS have been drawn up to demolish a detached garage at 6 Clifton Close, Benfleet, to make way for a two-storey extension.

Castle Point Council is due to decide on the application by October.

A NEW block of flats could be built in Billericay.

Plans have been drawn up to demolish the existing four-bedroom detached house at 62 Stock Road and replace it with two two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats.

A car park with six spaces will also be created.

Basildon Council is due to decide on the application by November.

A DEVELOPER will pay £10,000 towards improvements at a popular park after Basildon Council gave the green light for a former electrical store to be demolished to make way for a block of flats.

The Tower Radio building, in High Road, Vange, will be knocked down and replaced with ten apartments.

The cross-party planning committee approved the application under a string of conditions, and asked for more detailed plans in relation to landscaping, gates and fences, and footpaths.

As part of a section 106 agreement, Bernard Litman, of Elm Road, Canvey, who owns the site, must make a £10,000 contribution towards improvements at Ryedene Open Space, off Chaseway, Vange.

Seventeen car parking spaces will be included in the development, which will be made up of five one-bedroom apartments and five two-bedroom apartments.

Mr Litman, managing director of Tower Radio, also runs Springfield Developments.

His planning agent Jack Baron, from Essex-based David Plant Architecture, said: "The proposed development will make an important contribution to the rejuvenation of the current site and surrounding area, especially in relation to providing good quality residential accommodation and enhance support for local goods and services.

The proposal is of a high quality design and will enhance the appearance and identity of Vange."

PLANS to demolish a bungalow to make way for a new house have been thrown out by Basildon Council.

Planning officers ruled the proposed two-storey development at Gulistan, in Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, would appear too bulky, overlook neighbouring properties and be out of character for the area.

A NEW home will be built on a former equestrian centre.

Castle Point Council has granted an application for a two-bedroom chalet to be built on land at Braeside Farm, in Great Burches Road, Benfleet.

The site, which is green belt, was originally kennels and a cattery, before later being turned into a horse riding centre.

No neighbours objected to the development.

PLANS have been drawn up to convert a bungalow into a chalet-style house.

The owners of 33 Park Drive, Wickford, have asked permission to create a first floor.

Officers at Basildon Council will decide on the application by November.

OFFICES could be converted into a home, under new plans.

A planning application, from Toyin Ayandare, has been submitted for the office at 61A Princes Street, Southend, to turn it into a five-bedroom home.

The applicants argue the majority of buildings on the street are residential and it should be given planning permission.

Planners at Southend Council will rule over the application within eight weeks.

PLANS to demolish a bungalow to make way for two new homes will be discussed by councillors.

Officers at Castle Point Council have recommended councillors approve an application for two three-bedroomed houses in Hellendoorn Road, Canvey.

Ten neighbours have objected to the plans, raising concerns over loss of privacy, risk of subsidence and issues with access and parking.

Councillors will discuss the application during a meeting at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley, from 7pm on Tuesday, September 1.

BASILDON Council has rubber stamped an agreement which will mean only 36 homes on a new 725-home estate are affordable.

Redrow Homes’ affordable housing plan for its proposed development off Dry Street, Basildon, has been approved by the council.

The agreement includes a ten per cent affordable housing requirement, with five per cent of homes being built on-site and funding being provided for a further five per cent elsewhere in the borough.

Outline permission for the development has already been granted, but detailed plans for the first 181 homes are due to be considered by councillors later this year.

PLANS have been drawn up to cut back a Cypress tree in Norsey Road, Billericay.

Officers at Basildon Council will decide on the application by the end of September.