ANOTHER flats development planned for Canvey is set to be scuppered by the ongoing flood plain problems.

An application for the 50 flats, in Long Road, was agreed in 2003, as long as the developer contributed £100,000 for affordable housing.

But when developer Homestead turned up at the council offices to pay the money, it was told it needed to provide ten flats for affordable housing instead of the cash.

But at the planning meeting where councillors agreed to ask the developer for the new contribution they also drew the Environment Agency’s and Highways Authority’s attention to the plans.

In response, the Highways did not object, but the Environment Agency recommended refusal of the plans as there is no flood risk assessment.

The agency has currently imposed a blanket building ban across Canvey as it is on a flood plain.

But Castle Point Council hopes to prove the island is a unique case and get the ban lifted.

Homestead may have found a way around the Environment Agency ban as the developer already has planning permission for 50 sheltered accommodation flats.

Work has already started on these flats, next to the Paddocks Community Centre.

In a report to the council, Kim Fisher, assistant head of planning said: “The applicant has indicated that once these units are completed it is possible that an application for the change of use of the flats from sheltered accommodation to general purpose flats may be submitted.”

The plans will be discussed at the next planning development control meeting on July 29 at 7.30pm.