THURROCK Council have been asked to give approval to a planning application on the fringe of the borough where the applicant is coming back and almost doubling the size of the proposed development of new homes.

In March 2019 Thurrock's planning councillors gave approval for a development of 31 custom-built homes on the site of Greenwise Nurseries in Vange, which sits just inside the borough boundary.

There was a general welcome for the site from councillors with committee chair Cllr Tom Kelly saying the application was was exciting and situated in an interesting location.

Cllr Gerard Rice said: "It is great to see custom build homes proposed as the government is encouraging this type of development. It is good to see that Thurrock is ahead on this type of development" and Cllr Angela Lawrence welcomed the application which was a quality design.

She added she had seen the site which needed tidying up.

Cllr Graham Hamilton, who is no longer a councillor, did appear to have some reservations, particularly over the timescale of the building because they were self and custom built.

He questioned if the houses would be built simultaneously. Cllr Kelly said that this would depend on planning permission and the council's principal planning officer answered that uptake of the development would not be at the same time and developers would have to stick to the parameters outlined in the design code. Cllr Hamilton went on to ask if there was a limit or cut off point on building works but was told that this was not within the council's control and there was no definite timescale of building works.

All nine councillors voted to approve the plan.

However, having obtained the principle of building homes on the site, 20 months later the applicant is back and wants to double the size of the development.

When approval was first given for the site of the former nursery, a spokesperson for the applicant said: "We are delighted to be bringing forward these exciting plans for the first ever custom build scheme in Thurrock, helping local residents realise the dream of customising their own home."

"Our plans will clean up and revitalise this unattractive and noisy site which is currently an eyesore in the local area.

"We are looking forward to working with the council and local residents to deliver an exemplary scheme that sets a benchmark for custom build in Thurrock."

You can see the details of the new application via the link below and comment on it.