THE chair of a local community forum has blasted the developers behind a major distribution hub who she says have 'stuck two fingers up at the Aveley community'.

Teresa Webster, chair of the Aveley and Kenningtons Community Forum was responding today (Tuesday, 15 December) to news reported on Nub News that Segro, the company behind the huge new site adjacent to the A13 on Purfleet Road are making donations to three Thurrock charities.

None of them are based in – or are directly connected – with Aveley.

She says: "I find it astounding that firstly there were no community Section 106 funds detailed in the planning application for this site. No funds were allocated directly to benefit the residents most affected i.e. in Aveley.

"And I find it shocking to read the article today on Thurrock Nub News which shows the lack of compassion from Segro in relation to their allocation of a donation of funds to organisations who don't exist in the local area when it is the residents of Aveley who have been put at a disadvantage as a result of the construction of this distribution site.

"This does not promote a healthy relationship between residents and the intended business operating from there, online grocer Ocado Retail, when the construction on this site has been nothing but a burden to the Aveley community.

"Thurrock Council have used their own delegated powers to decide not to take legal action against this site even though the activities on site breached a Thurrock Council notice regarding their operating times relating to the construction of this build.

"Now the fact that Segro have donated community funding outside of the immediate Aveley area is just another slap in the face of Aveley residents.

"It is nothing more than shameful.

"I fail to see how the funds allocated outside of Aveley mitigates the breaches on site during the construction, ultimately Segro's actions in this community.

"There are plenty of Aveley organisations who would have been happy to work with and receive funding from Segro to improve the local community in Aveley.

"Instead, residents wait for the negative onslaught this site will have on the Aveley community with nothing in return.

"Rather than Segro sticking two fingers up at the Aveley community, perhaps Segro would reconsider engaging and supporting the Aveley community?"