CONTROVERSIAL plans for a large new business park have been agreed despite concerns it will "put the community through years and years of misery."

The new industrial estate, with business spaces across seven new buildings, has been given the greenlight on farmland, near Burnt Mills Road, North Benfleet, very close to the A127.

Basildon Council's planning committee heard various concerns from residents and councillors at a meeting on September 10. The units could be used for industrial, storage, distribution, research and development or industrial firms. The plans also include offices, a new link road between Courtauld Road and Pound Lane and associated junctions.

Christine Barlow, clerk at Bowers Gifford Parish Council, told the meeting: "The impact of more vehicles on the village will only add to the impact on the roads within the village becoming virtually impassable and gridlocked at times due to problems on the A127. A development of this size would put pressure on the fragile drains and systems that serve the village. Does the panel find it acceptable to put the community through years and years of misery in order to build this type of development."

A worried resident added: "The character and appearance of Bowers Gifford would be detrimentally affected. The size, dimension, sheer scale of the proposed site, the nature of the businesses proposed and the appearance of these buildings are totally unsuitable.

"Bowers Gifford cannot cope with the extra traffic. Vehicle lights, flood lights and lighting within these mega sheds will cause light pollution, especially at night. The development is a massive threat to the biodiversity of wildlife in the area."

A spokesman for the developer said the new industrial estate will support existing businesses and bring in new firms to the area.

She said: "Benefits include approximately 1,870 full time jobs, with a further 790 jobs expected to be created across the supply chain. In addition to this, the construction phase will directly support 430 jobs per year and 390 jobs indirectly. The scheme will generate economic output as well as business rates revenue totalling £5.5million a year, of which £2.2million will be retained in Basildon."