A COTTAGE claimed to date back to 1621 could be demolished to make way for a fourbedroom house.

Councillors will discuss plans to knock down the Moorings, in EssexWay, Benfleet – in the face of claims the rundown home is the oldest house in the town.

The move comes after the death earlier this year of the owner, Ted Cook.

Neighbours are divided over the plans, with some concerned Benfleet would lose an important part of its heritage and others happy to see the rundown building disappear.

Wendy Goodwin, Castle Point councillor for Boyce ward, said: “The council cannot afford to maintain it, so I think we will have to see what happens at planning committee.”

Conservationists had pushed for the cottage to be declared a listed building.

It is already on a local list of buildings of architectural or historic interest, but a historic buildings adviser recently cast doubt over its age, saying repairs and renovations over the years mean much of the building is much more recent.

The adviser’s report said: “Far from being the oldest house in South Benfleet, the cottage dates from the first half of the 19th century.

“It was one of a row of humble dwellings, the rest of which have not survived.”

Planning offers are recommending the plans be refused – not because of concerns over the loss of local heritage, but because they think the replacement four-bedroom detached house and garage are poorlydesigned.

Neighbour Ernie Long, 70, still wants the building saved.

He said: “To be honest, I think the council should have done something about it before.

“It’s a historic building. If it was built in the 1600s, it should be saved. However, if they do build on there, I would prefer to see a four-bedroom detached house rather than a load of flats.”

Another neighbour, Simon Miller, 44, also of Essex Way, welcomed the proposals.

He said: “Personally, I’ve no problem with a modern building, especially if it’s done the right way. It’s falling down, so I have no objection to it being flattened.”

And Jill May, 54, another Essex Way resident agreed the cottage should be demolished.

She explained: “I feel although it’s meant to be the oldest building in Benfleet, it’s in such a poor state of repair that even if it was saved, so much work that would need to be done on it.

“It would make sense to use the land better. Maybe, instead of a single four-bedroom house they should build two small bungalows, because there is a lot of land.”

The council will vote on the application next Tuesday.