PURFLEET Centre Regeneration Limited (PCRL) has officially unveiled new hoarding that has been erected on London Road beside the railway station in Purfleet-on-Thames showcasing the vison for its £1bn regeneration of the town centre that will soon see work start on Phase 1A of the scheme, which will create 61 new homes. A new noticeboard for residents was also launched.

Sir Tim Laurence, Chairman of PCRL, and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, Councillor Mark Coxshall, attended a socially distanced outdoor unveiling ceremony along with John Rowles, Chair of Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum.

Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum will manage the community noticeboard which has been installed alongside the hoarding to display key information on news and events for residents.

Sir Tim said: "The hoarding signifies Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited's commitment to delivering this project in partnership with the local community - hence the provision of a noticeboard for local residents as part of the design - in creating a vibrant place for people to live, work, learn, socialise and invest, which is in harmony with its natural surroundings.

"It shows the scale of our ambitious plans that will transform the town into a thriving riverside destination and world class creative hub while delivering much-needed new homes and infrastructure, making a real difference to people's lives.

"I am pleased that work will begin on the first phase later this year demonstrating Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited's commitment to realising these plans and to repaying the trust that the local community has placed in us."

Mr Rowles said: "The Purfleet Community Forum has supported this project from the start. Together with Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited, we are looking forward to how the scheme will make Purfleet-on-Thames a place where people will want to come and will want to stay to make it their home. A place that we are all proud of, a place to which we can point and say, that was our idea!"

Proposals for the redevelopment were submitted in 2018 by Thurrock Council, who are working with PCRL - a joint venture between Urban Catalyst and Swan Housing Association - to deliver the scheme which will create a creative hub on the River Thames surrounded by a new town centre with shops and restaurants, up to 2,850 new homes, an integrated medical centre, improved transport infrastructure, a new primary school and over 1,000,000 square feet of film and TV production studios.

Later phases will deliver a new higher /further education campus providing high calibre education, with a focus on health and the creative arts.

Work on phase 1A of the scheme, consisting of 61 new high-quality family homes, a children's play area, and an orchard walk, is due to commence later this year. Over 50% of the homes will be available to purchase under the Shared Ownership scheme, which aims to make housing more affordable.

More information on the regeneration scheme can be found by clicking here.