A MEMBER of Thurrock Council's Cabinet has slammed fellow councillors for their decision to back a housing scheme in his ward – and has called on them to change their minds when the planning application comes before them again next week.

As exclusively reported on Thurrock Nub News in March, councillors on the planning committee voted to go against their officers' advice and back the application for up to 161 new homes on Thurrock Marshes with access from Churchill Road in Little Thurrock.

The decision drew angry comments from local residents who have campaigned relentlessly against a number of applications for new homes on the marshes – and they have been backed today by Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park ward councillor Allen Mayes who says he was appalled by the committee's decision.

Because of the council's planning rules, the matter comes back to the committee next Monday (8 June) when councillors have to rubber-stamp their own decision – and come up with the words explaining why they have gone against officer advice.

Cllr Mayes, who was elected as an independent councillor with a track record for fighting against the marshes plans but then signed up for the ruling Conservative group, remains totally against the scheme and he says the meeting is an opportunity for councillors to right a wrong.

He says: "I was absolutely appalled by the planning committee decision to go against the recommendation of planning officers for the application regarding the Little Thurrock Marshes.

"The land is green belt and has previously been refused in 2017 on the back of an independent inquiry which recommended it was rejected. The new application has not resolved the independent inquiry recommendations and I for one am glad officers have again made the recommendation to refuse.

"The residents of Thurrock Park, Little Thurrock and Grays are against housing development on this land and they must be listened to.

"This planning application should not only be rejected on its own merits, it should be rejected due to the fact it would set a dangerous precedence in future green belt applications. It would endanger the countryside across the borough with very limited defence against future applications no matter how large or impacting.

"I found it difficult to have sat in the public gallery at the previous planning meeting and hear poor reasons behind recklessly voting against the while those same members will fight against planning applications within their own wards.

"You cannot have favouritism as to where things are built and it's highly hypocritical to act in this way.

"I urge the planning committee to do the right thing, follow the officer and legal advice and reject the planning application on 8 June."

You can read the full application here.