COUNCILLORS who unsuccessfully voted down plans to build homes in the middle of Billericay may get another chance to oppose them – if local people raise objections.

In February, developer R and G Holmes won permission on appeal to build eight houses and a flat on last behind Barclays Bank’s High Street Branch.

Basildon Council and Billericay Town Council both opposed the application, arguing the site was too small and the access road too narrow for emergency vehicles to use.

However, having won the appeal, the developer has been forced to put in a revised application after learning the approved plans would interfere with a sewer.

The application could be decided by planning officers, without going before a planning meeting, because it is only slightly different to the original proposal.

However, if there are objections from local people, it will have to be considered by councillors.

John Buchanan, chairman of Billericay Town Council’s planning committee, said: “This is a completely new application, so any objections made in the past can be raised again. There is no guarantee it will get passed this time, just because it won on appeal before.”

Mr Buchanan said the town council was likely to be as strong in its opposition as it was first time around.

He added: “Previously, we were dissatisfied with the garden provisions for each property. Under these changes the gardens are even smaller.

“Access for emergency service vehicles is also still inadequate.”

The new application differs from the original in that a two-bedroom house would be built where the flat was to go. Three of the other buildings have also been re-sited to avoid the sewer.

David Walker, of Billericay-based DJW Architectural Designs, which is working on the scheme, said: “The changes are quite minor.

“We hope it will be approved by planning officers. I’m not aware of any objections at the moment. Frankly, it would be a waste of the council’s time and money to reject a scheme which is practically the same as the one already approved.”