CONTROVERSIAL plans which could see a former charity shop demolished and flats and an business unit built have been criticised.

An application has been submitted to demolish the former FACE Animal Charity Shop in Church Road, Tiptree.

Under the proposals a new building would be built and create seven flats across three floors and a business unit on the ground floor.

Of the apartments six would be two-bedroom apartments and one would be a three-bedroom.

Tiptree Parish Council has now objected to the plans.

Colin Bigg, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said numerous issues had been raised.

He said: “The allocation of parking spaces are insufficient for the amount of residents of the proposed development in an area which at present is served by poor public and a lack of cycle paths.

“The public car parks available are privately owned and include 29 community spaces which are designated for shoppers and visitors to Tiptree.

“The access road to the site is extremely narrow with constrained resident parking spaces, the lack of turning circle and lack of available facilities for delivery vehicles.”

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Mr Bigg said concerns were also raised about the proposed height of the building.

He added: “A 3.5 floor development will dominate the site and represents overdevelopment with a lack of provision of amenity space.

“The trend for increasing the heights of such developments should be resisted to preserve the street scene.

“The committee also took on board and agreed with the points raised by both Essex Highways and Private Sector Housing.”

Mr Bigg added the committee felt that there would be too much loss of light for the residents next door at Mynott Court.

Colchester Council are set to have the final say on the plans this month.