WORK appears to have ceased on a controversial site in Thurrock where contractors have been excavating minerals over recent weeks, further destroying a natural habitat and nesting ground for birds.

Thurrock Nub News has closely followed developments at the site which is an area of land between Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary bordered by Chadwell Hill, Biggin Lane and Sandy Lane.

It is adjacent to a Traveller site on Biggin Hill and some of the residents who operate landscaping and paving businesses from the site are believed to be involved - though the digger and dumper operatives who have been excavating are said to be contractors brought in from outside.

On Sunday they felled power cables, causing a blackout for more than 600 local homes.

Many residents and a number of local councillors have reported the issue to Thurrock Council. On Friday, 8 May police were called to the scene by local residents who were concerned about the ongoing activity. The visit has been confirmed by Essex Police but they say it is a civil and planning matter and not for them to intervene.

A police statement says: "A call came into us on shortly before 2.25pm on Friday with the caller reporting sand cliffs were being bulldozed.

"We attended and had been trying to establish who owned the land.

"It looks like this may be more of a planning issue than a criminal one which obviously be dealt with by the council.

"Additionally, if someone is concerned that environmental damage or habitat damage is being caused that's probably more something in the Environment Agency's jurisdiction than ours.

"We're not aware of calls reporting concerns or issues in that area but if there are issues then we'd encourage people to please call us on 101 or report it online.

Residents have told Thurrock Nub News they have reported the matter and pointed out the violation of environmental laws, which is a criminal activity.

Essex Police does have a Rural Engagement Team (RET) deals with a range of issues in the rural community and rural crime-related matters.

It has about 10 officers and has recently expanded the team, with a force spokesperson saying it is part of the force's commitment to visible policing in all of the local communities. Within that team there is a wildlife crime specialist.

In addition to contacting police and a number of wildlife organisations including the Essex Wildlife Trust and the RSPB – to which we have had no response – we have also kept Thurrock Council fully informed and sent them videos and pictures. Again we have had no response from the council.

We do understand a team in the council's planning enforcement department has been looking at this issue and Tilbury St Chads ward councillor John Allen, who has been actively pursuing the matter and assisting us with our reporting, tells us he was told yesterday (Wednesday, 13 May) it may take up to two weeks for the council to prepare the relevant documentation and serve a 'stop' notice.

It appears, from today's evidence, that it is too late.

However, the council does have it within its power to impose fines and to insist on reparation of the land to its former state.

The site was a nesting ground for Sandmartins and our picture shows the site a couple of years ago, while the aerial shot illustrates how it used to be and where the sandy nesting grounds were.

Once again we have sent a copy of this report to Thurrock Council and asked for a comment.

Below is a timeline of our recent reporting on this issue:

6 May: Residents tell of concern.

8 May: Live broadcast as calls for action go unheeded.

10 May: Diggers bring cables down.

12 May: Council pledges to act.