At its meeting on Wednesday 26 August, Thurrock Council's Cabinet approved the publication of the draft Thurrock Local Plan for public consultation and agreed the next steps to progress the regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames.
Both decisions mark significant steps in shaping the borough's future growth for local residents.
The Draft Local Plan sets out how homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities will be delivered across Thurrock over the next two decades. The plan establishes a framework to guide future development, support economic growth and ensure that new housing is accompanied by the roads, schools, healthcare facilities, green spaces and community infrastructure needed by residents.
It also prioritises development on brownfield and previously used land while protecting large areas of Green Belt, preserving the character of the borough's villages and countryside.
The Draft Local Plan consultation will launch soon, giving residents, businesses and stakeholders an opportunity to help shape future development across Thurrock. Feedback received during the consultation will inform the next stage of the plan before it is submitted for independent examination as part of the statutory planning process.
Cabinet also approved plans to advance the regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames, one of the council's key strategic projects. The scheme is set to deliver 2,850 new homes, a new town centre, a railway station, a primary school, medical facilities and supporting infrastructure, creating a major new community on the banks of the Thames.
Cllr Tom Kelly said: "We are determined to get to grips with both of these issues, the Local Plan and the regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames, and approving these proposals is the first step towards doing just that.
"We need to make sure that we are in control of these matters so that they deliver for local people. They are important in helping to provide growth, investment and opportunities for the borough and everyone who lives here.
"Maintaining real momentum behind the Draft Local Plan, alongside progress in delivering a new town centre and thousands of homes in Purfleet-on-Thames, will ensure that we take charge of the borough's future growth and development for our residents."