A DERELICT former care home in Basildon will be torn down for housing after councillors gave plans the green light.

Planners at a Basildon Borough Council meeting said Ghyllgrove Care Home had attracted fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour since it closed in 2021.

The joint plans by Stonebond Properties and Sempra Homes, the council's housing arm, will see 34 houses built in the site.

Melanie Keys, Sempra Homes, said at the planning committee meeting NHS, fire and police workers would have priority for the new homes.

She said: "The derelict care home stands on the site, which has been disused for a number of years, attracting nuisance, antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping and is a blight on the area."

Sean Marten, planning manager at Stonebond, said: "The application before you makes the best use of an existing, derelict, brownfield site. The scheme will deliver much-needed housing which will positively contribute to the local area."

The committee agreed an extra planning condition which will secure a £2,645.20 contribution towards a local library.

Cllr Craig Rimmer said consultees had warned the population increase brought about by the development would result in more people using Fryerns library.

He said: "Now the applicant has agreed to this, we will hold Essex County Council responsible for delivering on this and making sure those facilities are enhanced."

But Cllr David Dadds criticised the proposals over the lack of on-street parking and layout of footpaths leading out of the site.

He said: "It's going to be hell trying to get round there to visit and park."

There is currently no affordable housing planned in the site. However, the applicants are applying to Homes England for grant funding, which would secure a mixed tenure in the site.