A SCHEDULED eight day hearing into plans to build up to 1,000 new homes in East Tilbury will take place in October.

It follows an appeal by developers Mulberry Strategic Land to the Planning Inspectorate against the failure of Thurrock Council to come to a decision and could be the decisive moment in a saga that had dragged on since the scheme was first voiced in 2016.

425 separate documents are now lodged on the application's record on Thurrock Council's planning portal, with more than 209 comments, most from local residents who damn the proposals.

As well as the countless submissions, there have been a number of public consultations and meetings led by the developers and their planning partners the Iceni group, which has been involved in several controversial schemes across Thurrock.

Updated proposals were submitted to the council and presented to residents in 2022 and now it seems Mulberry's patience has run out and they have appealed to the government to make a direct decision.

The Planning Inspectorate appear to have conceded the validity of the appeal so they have set up the hearing to be chaired by Richard Schofield, the Inspectorate's most senior inspector, who will determine the outcome.

A view of how the development would be laid out.

The full proposal on land for Development off Muckingford Road reads: "Application for outline planning permission with some matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) reserved: Proposed development of up to 830 dwellings (Use Class C3) if the Lower Thames Crossing is constructed (scenario 1) or up to 1,000 dwellings (Use Class C3) if the Lower Thames Crossing does not proceed (scenario 2), a new local road network including a vehicular / pedestrian railway crossing, a primary school, local centre and new areas of open space, including formal recreation.

The hearing will be begin on Tuesday, 1 October 2024 at 10am and is estimated to sit for eight days at the Council Chamber in the Civic Offices, New Road, Grays.

The Muckingford Road application is one of a trio of as yet undecided major projects that bracket East Tilbury. In addition to Mulberry's plans, the Lower Thames Crossing is planned to be built close to the village - as is a new network of electricity pylons.