Work carries on at new distribution park as contractors defy council prosecution message and residents' lives' remained blighted
IN the wake of further apparent breaches of planning conditions on a construction site in the west of the borough, Thurrock Council has called on residents to send it more information as it prepares a case for the prosecution of the companies involved.
However, it seems the council is stopping short of doing anything pro-active or practical to stop work carrying on at the Segro distribution park adjacent to the A13 between Aveley and Purfleet.
Main contractors Winvic started work on the site - which is now known as the SEGRO Logistics Park Purfleet containing a 304,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art facility for end-user Ocado Retail - in December last year.
The site was controversially given planning permission despite extensive objections from local residents who spoke of their concerns the development would have on the quality of their lives.
And their fears have proved well-founded before the site is even open. Throughout the past year work at the site has been behind schedule and, in a bid to make up lost time, the construction company has worked outside its permitted hours - which were decreed as part of the planning permission granted by Thurrock Council. Winvic went to the council and asked for extensions in hours and permission to work through nights and weekends. They gained some concessions but the council stood firm on most of the conditions - particularly night working and weekend working. Regardless of that, construction crews have carried on working outside the permitted hours! Earlier this month Thurrock Nub News featured a late night video taken by residents of work continuing. And in the wake of that the council said it would finally get tough and prosecute. However, the message appears to have gone unheeded at the site and workers are continuing to operate through into the evenings and beyond. A new film and pictures were taken by residents last night (Wednesday, 24 September) and the information passed to the council today together with a request from the residents: "Why can't you make this stop?" The council's response was: "We have already provided an update on the latest position with regards to preparing a prosecution case. Segro are aware that the council is going to prosecute them for failure to adhere to the terms of the building control notice. "We urge residents to report any further issues and breaches by visiting thurrock.gov.uk/report which will assist the council with the case."
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