AN “unsightly” derelict nightclub and petrol station will be levelled and replaced with flats, Brentwood Borough Council has revealed.

Abandoned for 30 years, the former Elliott’s Nightclub and Esso Petrol Station on the Southend Arterial Road, East Horndon, have become strewn in graffiti and attacked by arsonists.

The site, which stands on green belt land, will be bulldozed, making way for 20 flats accompanied with access roads and parking, following one of the council’s latest planning decisions.

In its planning statement, developer Imperial Prestige Properties said: “The development will provide new high-quality residential accommodation, across a range of housing types, to meet an identified need.

“The proposed development will provide a high-quality and attractive environment, responding to the site’s surroundings.

“The proposal will re-use a derelict and unsightly site in the green belt.”

The council has asked the developer to meet 26 strict conditions, including building road access before the work can go ahead.

Once complete, four two bedroom flats, seven three bedroom and nine four bedroom flats will be built, alongside ample parking, according to the developer.

The site’s dereliction comes after a rich 28 year history of broken down talks between the council and developers.

In 2009, the council approved an application to turn the site into a restaurant, conference facility and car showroom, however, the development didn’t go ahead.

Shortly afterwards, planning officers threw out an application for 46 homes due to their scale, bulk and detrimental affect on the green belt.

Under national government guidelines the borough must allow 362 new homes a year – approximately 7,240 over 20 years.

Meanwhile, the council is reviewing its Draft Local Plan after a six week public consultation received more than 1,000 comments, in March.

A document will be published later in the year summarising its findings.