PROPOSALS for a plumbing shop behind a historic thatched cottage which is named as one of the "country's most significant historic buildings and sites"in Wickford have been thrown out by the council.

Basildon Council raised various concerns about the plans for the business behind Guinea Pig Hall, Runwell Road, Wickford. The home is a Grade II listed building and is listed by Historic England on its National Heritage List for England. The website states that; "The National Heritage List for England is a unique register of our country's most significant historic buildings and sites. The places on the list are protected by law and most are not open to the public."

Plans state the proposed plumbing and electrical click and collect shop would be open between the hours of 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm on Saturday. One full-time member of staff and one part-time member of staff would be employed on site and bosses behind the plans say there would be approximately six to 10 customer visits per day.

The planning officers' report shows there were three letters of objection and one letter of comment submitted to the council. The letters of objection relate to concerns around parking, possible dangers due to the bend in the road, potential of people parking on the kerbs as well as concerns about the shop not being in keeping with the Grade II listed building. 

The report states: "It is not considered that the applicant has evidently justified the need for a plumbing and electrical click and collect shop in a residential area as opposed to a borough town, district or local centres where it would be more appropriately placed. It is considered that the proposed change of use, by reason of the degree of activity generated and its non-residential use, would be out of character with and detrimental to the character of the immediate locality.

"Given the lack of parking available on site for both the dwelling and the proposed click and collect shop, it is highly likely that staff and customers would park on the carriageway outside the site causing an obstruction to other highway users, to the detriment of highway safety and contrary to policies of the highway authority's development management polices.

"If permission was minded to be granted, a condition would have been added to control the opening and delivery hours.

"Notwithstanding this, officers are concerned about the hours of use running until 9pm Monday to Friday which is considered to be very late and unreasonable with residential properties located within close proximity and immediately next to the site.

"The degree of activity generated on a daily basis, running into the evening until 9pm weekdays, with increased vehicle movement to and from the property and the movement of workers, delivery vehicles and customers, are not activities that should be permitted in a residential area.

"This would be detrimental to neighbouring residents from associated noise and disturbance from workers, customers and deliveries in an environment where properties would normally be expected to be used for family associated activities rather than commercial activities."