PLANS have been submitted to Thurrock Council to build nine new homes on a dilapidated site in Corringham where it is hoped to build a mews-style development on land off Rookery Hill.

Though the site is within a conservation area and the green belt, the applicants - North Stifford-based Barclay St James Planning Ltd - say the new development adjacent to Harley Cottage will improve the look of the area as well as make it safe.

The application is for eight two bedroom flats and a one bedroom flat - which they say will be designated for 'key workers associated with local employment zone developments'.

There have been a number of previous applications to build on the site, all refused, but none since 2003.

Travellers previously used the site as a pitch but a formal application to put mobile homes there in 1993 was rejected and an appeal against that decision lost two years later.

A planning application statement says: "The site lies to the south of Corringham; on a short, no through way/dead end historic section of Rookery Hill which is just off the main Rookery Hill road which leads into the town from The Manorway (A1014).

"This dead end section of Rookery Hill leads round to a small industrial/commercial development which includes a timber yard and aggregates supplier.

"Due to the lack of any additional 'destinations' on this road, there are very limited car movements.

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"Just around the corner from the application site, closer to the timber yard, the road is currently being used to store large skip containers.

"The site is currently derelict and has been left in partial ruin. It consists of a small dilapidated garage which has access fronting onto Rookery Hill and four other small structures which are all to be removed.

"A concrete fence, which has been largely destroyed, surrounds a section of the site. The access gate onto this compound gives an additional vehicular access point into the site.

"This compound has previously been home to travellers who have now been removed.

"There is a large amount of fly tipping which has occurred on the site over recent years and the site is now almost completely overgrown with little to no maintenance or upkeep.

"The site and buildings are in a state of neglect and in the current condition could pose a potential risk to public health and safety if anyone were to gain access to the site."

You can view the full application and comment here.