THE owner of a popular Canvey pub which was destroyed by fire has been told he will have to apply for planning permission to rebuild it.

Lee Petch is the co-owner of the Corner Club, in the High Street, which was gutted by fire in November leaving him with expensive repair bills.

The council has now said that because too much of the original building was destroyed by fire, the club will have to reapply for planning permission.

Because of council policy, it will have to meet expensive flood-related building regulations which apply across Canvey.

The pub may also have to provide parking spaces for the first time.

Earlier this month more than 100 regulars held a rally outside the charred building to show their support, and more than 500 people signed a petition supporting the pub’s plans to reopen.

Mr Petch said he is hopeful the council will take into account his situation.

He said: “We have to go through the process which is what we were worried about. It will take several months before they reach a decision on that, if we get the planning application in fairly soon.

“They are looking at March before they will reach a decision. Hopefully, because of the circumstances, they will allow us to rebuild without parking – it has never caused any problems.

“Hopefully we will be up and running by June or July.”

Mr Petch said locals were keen to find out what was going to happen to the club.

He added: “People stop us in the street saying ‘what is going on?’, ‘what’s happening? People are so eager to see it up and running again.

“Taking that into account I feel the council has to let us rebuild.It would be devastating if it didn’t.”

The fire started in a small trading estate next to the pub and destroyed several other shops and warehouses.

An investigation which was carried out by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service failed to find a cause.