A PARCEL of potential development land in the heart of Grays which Thurrock Council planned to sell via an auction next week has been sold.

A guide price of just £400,000 was put on the significant area of land on Argent Street in Grays, advertised by Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers and due to be sold next Wednesday(16 June) but the site is now listed as 'sold'.

No details are currently available of what the sale of the property raised. When first announced it appeared that the £400,000 valuation for almost half an acre or prime development real estate was substantially under the asking price for similar land in the area.

Local ward councillors said the land should be retained by the council to be used to build its own social housing. However, that plea, appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

Thurrock Council has been asked for information about what has happened to the site.

Another council-owned property, on Clarence Road, a terraced shop with flat above it, which is valued at £200,000 remains in the auction.

The contrast in size and potential valuation of the two council sites on the market has created considerable comment.