A SEAFRONT car park will be expanded to provide extra spaces for use during the busy summer season.

The proposal to extend Thorney Bay car park, in Western Esplanade, Canvey, was approved by Castle Point Council’s development committee on Tuesday.

The council, which owns the car park, argued the expansion was necessary because work to transform and improve the seafront in recent years had helped draw record numbers of visitors to the area.

The existing car park has 20 spaces, and the extension will increase the capacity to 60.

The overflow area will have a grass surface and a new path will be created nearby.

Neighbouring residents had objected to the proposal, arguing it would cause a loss of privacy.

However, in a report to councillors, planning officer Keith Zammit said the frontages of affected properties were at least 91 feet from the car park.

He said: “It is not considered persons within the car park would result in a loss of privacy for adjoining residents.”

The application was approved unanimously by development committee members.