A REVISED multi-million pound housing project has been given the go-ahead by council chiefs - despite a much-needed medical centre being removed from its plans.
   The new complex will house five commercial units, nine one-bedroom flats and 27 two-bedroom flats and will see a disused cafe knocked down.
   Planning bosses passed the development after parking fears were eased and the developers agreed to a £250,000 contribution to affordable housing provisions in the area. Previous applications had been refused on the grounds of lack of parking consideration.
   Nick Madden, of applicants Eastern Square, said: "We have had interest from a dentist to fill one of the commercial units so that is a step forward and will be good for the area.
   "The other units could be restaurants or anything - the proposal is quite flexible.
   "The medical centre is going to go somewhere else. I believe they are looking elsewhere."
   Spokesman for Wickford Action Group, Alan Ball said: "This is not part of the Wickford master plan and there are already too many houses being planned for Wickford.
   "The whole area is going to be clogged up."
   Planning committee chairman Sylvia Buckley said: "This will be a good thing for the ward - it's a step in the right direction as the plot has just been sitting there for a while now.
   "One of the units is to become a dentist's, which is needed, and the fifth storey of the flats is contained in the roof so it doesn't look too overbearing.
   "The medical centre is going to go somewhere else. I believe they are looking elsewhere"
   "The plot is near to the town centre so that should be good for the High Street and make the area busy.
   "The night-time economy of Wickford should be improved.
   "Personally I think the flats will prove popular as they back on to the River Crouch."

It is interesting that right next to this article in the Gazette, is a short piece as follows:

Help shape future of town
More roadshows are planned on the Billericay design statement. The next will be at the fun day at Sun Corner on Sunday and then at St John's Church, Outwood Common, on July 21.
Residents can say what they think about building styles, roads, public transport, Green Belt, schools and the environment.

Councillor's Buckley and Horgan promised this sort of consultation for the people of Wickford at the Wickford Action Group public meeting on March 22nd this year, but nothing has come of it yet. Nice to know that Cllr Horgan is looking after his own ward!