News

Proposals to turn underused garages into more than 40 affordable new homes at council-owned sites in South Ockendon, Stanford-le-Hope and Chadwell St Mary have been approved.

On Wednesday 9 October 2024, Thurrock Council’s Cabinet agreed plans to demolish 153 garages and develop 46 high-quality council homes across Broxburn Drive, Lyndhurst Road and Vigerons Way. 

Construction contracts will soon be put out to tender to kickstart the developments, made up of 33 homes at Broxburn Drive, six at Lyndhurst Road and seven at Vigerons Way. 

Cabinet has approved a new timetable that will push back adoption of the borough’s Local Plan until early 2028.

All local planning authorities must prepare a Local Plan that sets out a planning framework for their area. It includes how much development should be permitted and how it should be distributed around the borough. By law, it must be used when deciding future planning applications.

Thurrock Council is urging the government to use the delay to a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing to properly weigh up the impacts the road will have on Thurrock’s communities, and alternatives, before they make a final decision.

The government announced this week its plans to delay the decision until at least May 2025.

Thurrock Council and its partners received a Certificate of Recognition at the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) awards.

Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) working for a group of councils including Thurrock Council, received their recognition from Essex Police for the outstanding commitment they had shown as a newcomer in the Essex Police CSAS scheme.

Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, has expressed his disappointment and frustration that today’s planned announcement on the future of the Lower Thames Crossing has been delayed.

Cllr Kent said: “We are disappointed that we have not been updated about whether a Development Consent Order has been granted for the Lower Thames Crossing today, as we were expecting. It is important that we get clarity about the future of these proposals, and it is extremely frustrating that once again a decision that would give us that has been delayed.”

Make a difference to a Thurrock child’s life, have your council tax paid, and get a monthly allowance – speak to our friendly team today to find out how to become a foster carer.

When thinking about fostering, it is normal to think about how it will affect the foster parents or the children in foster care, however, another group can sometimes be overlooked – the children of foster carers. 

Local author Toyin Owoseje will be visiting Grays and Chadwell Library as part of a series of events to celebrate Black History Month.

Toyin will be reading her children's book 'Wonderfully Me', which tells the story of a young child called Bisi and her journey to building positive self-esteem with the help of her parents.

Children can hear a reading of the story from Toyin and enjoy a fun morning of activities at Grays and Chadwell Library on the following days:

On Tuesday 1 October, Loraine Colemen, aged 68 from Grays, was presented with the Mayoral Roll of Honour in recognition of her work in setting up the first Reengage group in Thurrock.

Reengage is a charity that connects with older people to help them stay in contact with friends, socialise and reduce loneliness by hosting tea parties and events.

Thurrock's first Reengage group was set up by Loraine in 2015, since then she has become Local Area Coordinator for Thurrock and now oversees eight Reengage groups.

Thurrock Council’s Healthy Lifestyle Service are providing free information sessions to help residents quit smoking succesfully.

These free in-person drop-in sessions at the Civic Offices, Grays, will allow anyone who lives or work in Thurrock to ask questions, seek guidance, and get more information on the local ‘Swap to Stop’ offer and other stop smoking advice.

Following news this week that Thurrock has the most patients per GP – nearly twice the number of the best served areas – Cllr Mark Hooper, Cabinet member for Health and Well-being, is calling on the government to address this shocking postcode lottery.