A DEVELOPER is poised to seek permission to build 525 new homes on farmland in Corringham.

Mulberry Strategic Land could soon submit a planning application for the homes on land north of Southend Road.

The application will include a new primary school, a care home for the elderly, a convenience store and a community centre.

The plan was unveiled in a request for Thurrock Council's opinion on whether an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) will be needed ahead of the application. Planning officers have concluded an EIA is not required, leaving the way open for detailed plans to be submitted.

Last year Mulberry came under fire for suggesting Thurrock's planning committee had little choice but to approve plans for up to 1,000 homes on green belt in East Tilbury.

It followed the Government's stated intention of building 1.5 million new homes and reviewing green belt policy. The company subsequently won an appeal to the planning inspectorate leaving the council with an £87,000 legal bill.

The latest application will be for a 58-acre site consisting largely of agricultural land. The proposed homes will be low rise, up to three-storeys high.

In a report to planning officers, the developer said: "The Proposed Development seeks to redevelop the Site to deliver a mixed-use scheme comprising up to 525 homes, a primary school, a care home, a local centre and a small supermarket including landscaping enhancements featuring on-site vegetation planting.

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"The development will significantly enhance the local community in Thurrock by addressing housing shortages, providing essential educational and healthcare services, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth, while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that supports the needs of all residents."

The report adds: "Although there are potential impacts on local ecology and landscape character, where specific impacts are identified, appropriate measures will be incorporated to further reduce the effects of the proposed development."

Cogent Land LLP submitted an application for up to 750 homes on the land in 2014. These were later withdrawn.

Planning agent Iceni Projects (which has close associations with Mulberry Strategic Land) along with developer Cogent Land, had submitted plans for the homes, along with a new primary school and a railway station at Williamsons Farm, off Southend Road.

The plans were the third set to be submitted to Thurrock Council on the green belt land since 2008. The previous two plans saw opponents successfully defend the land.