FRESH plans to open a new shop and build flats on a busy corner of a town centre have been approved by council officers.

Brian Greenham, from Thundersley, applied to build a shop with two flats on the corner of Stock Road and Radford Way, in Billericay.

Basildon Council granted Mr Greenham full planning permission, having previously gained permission back in 2008 before it lapsed.

Gordon Humphreys, a planning case officer at the council, praised the “high quality scheme” and dismissed objections raised from Billericay Town Council due to the “over dominance” of the plans for the street corner.

He said: “The building responds to the unique limiting characteristics of the site, whilst making for a more viable scheme than the semi-circular building previously approved but not implemented.

“Subject to the agreement of good quality exterior materials, which can be controlled by a suitable planning condition, the proposal is considered to represent a high quality scheme.”

In his design and access statement, Mr Greenham argued that he aims to produce a focal point to the corner of Radford Way and Stock Road.