A CAR dealership much loved in its town is set to soon be shut for good and demolished as part of plans to build four huge new homes.
Hadleigh Garage in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, is at risk of closure after architects submitted plans for a number of three-storey terraced homes in place of the building and its forecourt.
Hadleigh Garage could be demolished under plans to build four new homes[/caption]
Plans which have been recommended for approval would see the three-bedroom homes built with two-storey front bays, small gardens, and a parking area to the side and rear for four cars.
Southend-on-Sea City Council has received two representations following public notices for the site, located at the junction of Leigh Road and Beach Avenue, Essex Live reported.
Some of the objections have concerned a loss of privacy from overlooking, inadequate parking provision, and the scale of the homes as well as their design.
The redevelopment of the site as houses rather than flats has been welcomed by Chalkwell Ward Residents Association, although it said the number of homes represented a state of “over-development”.
A spokesman for the association slammed the plans as “inadequate” for providing just four car parking spaces and for two of the houses having “virtually no garden or amenity space”.
They said it was concerned that each home, which would be three-stories tall and have three bedrooms, would lack appropriate facilities.
Despite this, planning officers, who also had to weigh up the loss of a commercial space with the need for new homes, have recommended the plans for approval.
Ahead of the meeting, a report by council officers highlighted the decline of the physical car sales industry and claimed that the need for car showrooms and car lots was “decreasing year by year”.
The report further explained that the location would be unviable and that the tenant was looking to move their business to an out of town site.
It added: “Due to the site’s small size, lack of on-site parking and difficult access, the site is not attractive to the commercial market.
“The development would provide four new family-sized dwellings on previously developed land in a sustainable location in the city for which there is a clear and significant identified need.
“The housing proposed in this location will give greater potential benefits to the community and environment than the existing employment use of the site given its small scale nature.”
The dealership is rated five stars on Google Maps, with buyers having praised its owner.
One reviewer said: “Steve is a great guy and very honest, his knowledge of cars is second to none.
After buying my wife’s car from him I couldn’t be more happy to recommend anyone to pop down and take a look at his cars for sale.
“Top man and thanks for making my wife happy with her new car – thanks again Steve.”
Another said: “I just bought a car from Steve.
“He came recommended by a friend and had just the car I was looking for.
“Honest, good value for money and a three month warranty too. Highly recommended.”
Councillors will meet next Wednesday to vote on the plans and decide the fate of the much-loved dealership.
Objections have been raised that highlight ‘inadequacies’ with the plans[/caption]
