A GARAGE and car showroom could be demolished to build a four-storey block of flats, despite being in a flood zone.

Renown Developments Limited has submitted a planning application for 29 one and two-bed apartments in Runwell Road, Wickford, as well as a basement car park and new shops.

Basildon Borough Council validated the application last week, which also includes plans to demolish Quick Fix garage, a vacant car showroom, and its associated buildings.

But according to a design and access statement, the site is partially located in Flood Zone Two, meaning there is a medium risk of flooding.

A section reads: "The proposed development is at a medium risk of flooding from Surface water and groundwater and is at a risk of flooding from reservoirs but only in scenarios where there is also fluvial flooding."

A later section reads: "The site is at risk of flood therefore floor mitigation measures should be employed."

However, the statement continues to say a flood risk assessment considers the site acceptable for development, under the terms of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Surface water and foul discharge from the site are proposed to connect to a public sewers in Swan Lane.

The statement continues to recommend a minimum finished floor level of 7.6m for the new building, in order to raise it above the surface water flood risk to the south of the site.

Members of both the district council and Wickford Town Council want to combine the plans with a nearby development of 122 in Runwell Road, which was approved on appeal by the planning inspectorate last year, the statement continues.

This development will be six stories tall with residential use on the ground floor, unlike the new plans by Renown Developments Limited.

Due to the previous use of the site as a garage, there is a risk of ground contamination and the statement also says an investigation into any potential contamination is being recommended.

The application is seeking full permission for the demolishing of the existing showroom and to build the 29 flats, a commercial unit for retail use, a basement car park and associated amenity space.