CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn Mistley’s famous secret bunker into housing are set to go ahead after a planning appeal was allowed.

Proposals to turn the disused war bunker into three homes, with an additional 28 houses on the site near Furze Hill, were refused by Tendring Council’s planning committee.

A Government planning inspector has ruled in favour of the owners and granted listed building consent and planning permission.

Carlo Gugleilmi, councillor responsible for planning at Tendring Council, said: “This is a smack in the face for localism.

“The people of Mistley gain absolutely nothing. Yes the bunker is secure – but the only people who will enjoy it are those able to afford the asking price, it is lost to everyone else.

“We would have welcomed sitting around the table with the developer.

“Now Mistley is left with an extra 31 developments the village didn’t need.”

The Secret Bunker was built in 1951 and used in the Cold War to receive information about the approach of hostile aircraft in the Fifties.

It was turned into a museum between 1996 and 2002 and given listed building status in May 2007.

Tendring Council rejected the planning application in February this year for being “alien” and an “unnecessary eyesore”.

The committee said neighbours of the site would have to compromise too much if the 31 homes were given permission.

The plans are for two rows of flats with curved roofs, as well as three underground houses inside the bunker.