MEET and greet parking could be coming to Southend Airport after plans were submitted for a new 260-space car park were submitted.

The airport has applied for planning permission to create 260 car parking spaces on a one-acre site neighbouring the airport.

The site will provide valet parking, with passengers invited to drive to the airport’s main terminal before their cars will be parked for them.

Planning permission was previously granted for a car park on the site in 2016, but this has expired

A spokesman said: “This application is to use a vacant site for a 260 space car park and has previously been given permission by Southend Borough Council, most recently in 2016. However, this permission has expired and so new permission is required. And airport bosses hope a new car park will continue to benefit its growing number of passengers.

“London Southend Airport has a clear plan to develop the airport and increase capacity.

“This planned growth will be undertaken in partnership with all our stakeholders to ensure we continue to contribute to the economic prosperity of the region, and employ even more people from the area.

The 260 car parking spaces will also provide staff parking.

The airport has stated that the car park will not generate any additional traffic, as passengers will not drive to the car park directly.

At the start of the month, Ryanair launched its new partnership with Southend Airport.

Three planes will offer more than 60 weekly flights to 13 routes in eight European countries, combined with a host of new routes launched in the last year. In total, the low-cost carrier has made a $300 million investment in Southend Airport, which will create 750 on-site jobs.

Southend Council’s planning officers are now set to make recommendations to the planning committee.