DEVELOPERS want to build 20 new flats on the site of the Leigh Car Wash in the heart of the town.

Phase 2 Planning has submitted an application to Southend Council for the flats on land occupied by the car wash and Grove Fittings ironmongers, in the Broadway.

The flats, at the junction with Victor Drive and Grand Drive, will be opposite the Grand Hotel.

The car wash has drawn up plans to move to London Road, Leigh, in an empty shop next to Kwik-Fit.

The flats development, designed by David Plant Architecture, will have shops on the ground floor.

The developers say they believe the design will enhance the neighbourhood by demolishing the existing structures and replacing them with a development “in keeping with the area”.

The building would comprise of five one-bed flats, 16 two-bed flats and four three-bed flats, with about 40 per cent affordable housing.

The Grand Hotel is set to be transformed into a bar and restaurant, and the designers say they have taken the historic hotel into consideration with their plans.

In the application, David Plant Architecture said: “The building plans aim to compliment the Grand Hotel by replicating colour, material and architectural references but with a contemporary twist.

“The proposed mixed-use development has been deigned to make optimum use of this brownfield site and would therefore contribute towards delivering much-needed housing in a sustainable location.”

Resident Alan Banks, 35, of nearby Glendale Gardens, was pleased with the plan.

He said: “The car wash is an eyesore. And there’s so many of these in the area anyway.

“This development is much more desirable.

“It will be really good to see this site, and the Grand Hotel for that matter, sorted once and for all.”

However, not everyone is happy.

Anne Price, chairman of the Leigh Society, is not sure on the plan.

She added: “The official response from the society has not been decided yet, but from my point of view, there is far too much development going on in the area.

“I know they have proposed underground parking but the traffic in that part of Leigh is already so bad.”

The council is due to decide on the application by January 2.