BUILDING work on two huge industrial estates on Canvey is ready to start as soon as councillors give permission, say developers.

Inner London Group has submitted applications for business parks in Northwick Road, near Morrisons, and Roscommon Way, to the south of the Charfleets Industrial Estate.

It is anticipated both projects will be decided on by Castle Point Council before the end of the year.

The Northwick Road development, which includes a hotel, car showroom and industrial units, cleared a major hurdle this month when the Environment Agency dropped its concerns about potential flood risk.

Mark Farrier, partner at Inner London Group, said: “We have done a lot of good work with the Environment Agency in understanding the position.”

The firm is now waiting on an ecology report for the site, which is due to be completed this month.

If Natural England is happy with the contents of the report, it is hoped the application will go before a planning committee in November.

A decision on the Roscommon Way project could be made as soon as September.

The development would include warehouses, factories, a car showroom and cafes.

It would also involve new access roads, footpaths, drains, lighting, security fencing and landscaping.

Mr Farrier added: “Both projects are programmed into our spending plans, but whichever site gets planning permission first, we will start work on first.

“It is all driven by demand, and we have demand for both sites.”

Both applications have been the subject of objections from nature groups, including Buglife and the RSPB.

The groups argue the developments will harm Canvey Wick, which is designated as an area of special scientific interest.

The nature reserve is home to a species of rare bees which would be disrupted by the projects, objectors believe.