PLANNING officials ignored 50 residents when they approved plans to demolish their only pub and replace it with a Tesco Express and flats.

Chelmsford planning committee debated the application for more than two hours on Tuesday after residents and ward councillors resisted the demolition of the Marsham Arms in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford.

Objectors said there was no need for another convenience store because there is a Co-op petrol station next door.

They also fear for the future of the Premier store on the junction of Beeches Road and Waterhouse Lane, only 100 yards away, and the neighbourhood shops in Forest Drive.

But planning expert Keith Holmes pointed out that commercial competition was not a matter the planning committee could make a judgement on.

Fuming resident Peter Middleton said: "Tesco already has five stores in Chelmsford. They are screwing the public for every penny they can get."

Cllr John Hunnable said the 'Marsham' was a "community asset" with a number of groups and activities run there.

"The new management has proved it viable and is building it up," he added.

But Phillipa Dalton from developers Outreach Ltd said: "We put in a tenant so the place did not get vandalised and derelict. He is subsidised by us, on a break clause lease.

"Prior to our buying of the premises, it had been marketed for two years and the only offer was for a drive-thru restaurant which I think would be less popular than our proposal."

Residents say increased customer traffic, delivery lorries, parking for the five flats and a new access road in from Waterhouse Lane and out onto Ash Tree Crescent would cause traffic problems.

But Essex highways officer Richard Mackrodt said he would have problems justifying a highways objection to the scheme on an already busy road.

Councillors passed the plan with five votes to four, bringing shouts of "so much for localism" and "thanks for nothing" from the public gallery.

The pub will be replaced with five flats above the Tesco store and two houses built on the old pub garden.