A BID will be made this week to stop work on the controversial redevelopment of Thurrock's Adult Community College.

The college on Richmond Road in Grays closed earlier this year as part of Thurrock Council's cash-saving process, with classes moved to other locations in the borough including the South Essex College in the heart of Grays.

A campaign to save the college and its facilities which are used by the local community was lost and plans are in place to demolish the existing buildings and the site is likely to be redeveloped for housing.

However, local Grays Thurrock ward councillor, Labour's Cllr Lynn Worrall, is hoping this week's full council meeting will bring a halt to the authority's plans and she is calling on the council to consider the concerns of residents over the site's future and the adjacent Alf Lowne Scout Centre.

In a motion put forward for the meeting on Wednesday ( 24 November) Cllr Worrall wants members to call on cabinet 'to bring forward a comprehensive plan for the future of the whole site and halt any demolition or development, on this site until that plan has been consulted on and agreed'.

Cllr Worrall said: "It is so important. We've got a housing development process for build new homes in Thurrock including this site but we were told we're not going to do any more getting on with things without going out to consultation and informing councillors and residents.

"Then residents had a letter saying they were putting in another gate so the Scouts could access their centre during building.

"That road has a bad problem with parking. It was never meant for a lot of cars. Putting another access gate there is going to take up about six parking spaces. There is also a covenant on that land to be used for educational purposes but they are knocking down a school building which would be so much easier to convert and cramming in a load of small houses. The Scouts are worried about their future because they are within the red line of the development area."

Cllr Worrall added: "They are just going round pulling down buildings. They pulled down the Youth Club in Tilbury and the Prince of Wales pub in Ockenden but places they could develop like Dell Road in Grays they sell off for tuppence.

"It's the same with the Thameside Theatre. How many thousands of people have they upset with that?"

In response to the motion, council officers say: "The council is currently reviewing its operational estate to meet the objective of fewer building, better services and to reduce its running costs and the need for future investment.

"The council has a duty to consider best value in its use of resources and this would include the consideration of the future of the former Grays Adult Education College and Alf Lowne Scout Centre."