A BID to replace a former pub in Basildon with new flats has been withdrawn.

Tomswood Holdings had submitted plans to Basildon Council to replace the former Long Riding pub with a new residential block containing 20 new homes.

The applicant’s agent Rivington Street Studio said the existing building, which is part-vacant and part used as a place of worship, under-utilises its site and contributes little to the surrounding street scene.

Therefore, it said the site offers an “ideal” opportunity for residential redevelopment.

The flats would have been a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes, including wheelchair housing and affordable housing.

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Pedestrians would access the building through the main entrance in Long Riding and vehicular access would be from Clayburn Circle, with ramped access to basement-level secure sheltered parking.

In a statement submitted with the plans, the agent added: “It is proposed to redevelop the site to maximise its potential to provide new housing.

“The site is typical of other residential infill sites being brought forward in Basildon: it is well located for both the town’s retail centre and rail station, and sits in an established residential context with a quiet street environment.

“The design brief is to provide high quality new homes with plentiful daylighting and natural ventilation, in a bold contemporary building with generous shared spaces and verdant gardens.”

No details over the withdrawal of the proposals have been released on the council’s planning portal.