THURROCK Council planning councillors have given the green light to a £9 million transformation of Grays town Thames riverside.

At Tuesday (10 March) evening's meeting of the planning committee members were presented with details of the project application, drawn up by architects Tonkin Liu on behalf of Thurrock Council, that includes a small performance amphitheatre.

In their presentation ahead of public consultation about the scheme, the firm said: "Against the backdrop of the Thames, the riverside area has the potential for growth as a new destination for both locals and visitors. It can be a key area for enterprise, leisure and well-being tapping into cultural activities and building on the existing diverse community.

"In this first phase, we seek to provide a seamless connectivity to the river; embracing the natural uses of the riverfront further by connecting existing open spaces and the riverfront.

"Our journey began back in 2020 when the residents of Grays expressed a desire to make better use of the riverside. The local community wanted a greener and more natural environment linked to the Thames and the wider town."

Describing the amphitheatre, Tonkin Liu says: "It creates a stronger connection between people, river and nature, by softening the hard boundary with a generous terraced public space. This is the second occasion where the path splits along the riverfront. The widened pedestrian and cycle path stays at the higher level of 7.5m and a secondary ramped path takes the public down to the platform at the base of the amphitheatre."

In a consultation with the public about the scheme, it won 84 per cent approval from those who responded.

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Presenting to the meeting on behalf of the council on Tuesday, chartered town planner and director of Rolfe Judd Planning, Jan Donovan, said the project would create "improved public spaces, better access and high-quality environmental improvements" while tackling antisocial behaviour and boosting footfall along the waterfront.

Ms Donovan advises developers, institutional investors and occupiers in both the private and public sectors.

Funding for the project comes from £19.9 million given by the government to the Grays Town Board in a funding scheme originally proposed in 2019. By the time the board was formed in 2020 the figure had been talked up to £25 million but in the intervening six years, little has been achieved practically and barely a spade inserted into the ground.

The future of the board itself now appears in doubt, with plans afoot to shift its decision making and fund-managing powers back to Thurrock Council.

One of the illustrations showing how the small amphitheatre will drop down to the riverside.

However, the new riverside scheme is set to go ahead after the application won unanimous approval despite some confusion among some of its members about what they were actually voting for and how the scheme would be configured - despite the extensive pre-applications publications, consultations and papers put to them which included 105 documents and a detailed 75 page design and access statement.

One of those who questioned the project was Cllr Russell Cherry who said the area was renowned for anti-social behaviour including littering, drug-taking and drinking and he said he would support the project only if there were 'plenty of bins and CCTV'. He said: "If it's kept clean and tidy its going to be a great asset."

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Cllr Aaron Green added: "It's great to see this report about Grays' regeneration and that part of Grays actually looking better than it currently does. I'm all in favour."

Cllr Cathy Sisterson highlighted the benefits for schools, saying the amphitheatre "looks ideal for a school class or for school trips."

Committee chair Cllr Michael Fletcher said the project would also strengthen vital flood defences.

"I don't think since I've lived here we've had particularly high water levels, but there's always the possibility," he said. "Increasing the seawall level sounds like a sensible and safe move."

The discussion at the planning meeting can be viewed on the council's video archive via this link.

A number of other projects generated through the Grays Town board are currently under consideration or consultation, including plans for the adjacent Grays Beach Park which were reported on Thurrock Nub News last month. The consultation closes tomorrow (Thursday, 12 March).