JUST a month after Thurrock Council's lead councillor for growth and the environment dammed operators of an illegal green belt development, using words like 'blight on the landscape', 'selfish greed' and 'unacceptable' – the department she leads has backed off implementing tough enforcement action.

In early September the council announced it had served a planning enforcement notice on the owners of plot of land in Vange Road, Vange, after they breached planning regulations to convert a garden nursery into a storage and distribution use.

Cllr Lee Watson, portfolio holder for good growth, led the council's attack on the developers and said the council would be taking 'tough action to stop them in their tracks' and 'ensure the site is returned to being green and pleasant, which is what it has permission for'.

Residential neighbours of the site, which sits just within the borough border and was the scene of a large and dangerous fire recently, welcomed the news which came after several years of campaigning against its development.

That concern was highlighted by the recent fire, which put those neighbours' homes at risk. Residents have said they felt ignored and under threat. In April this year the council acknowledged it has known of unauthorised use of the site for several years, but had opted not to take action. However,, renewed pressure from resdients and media coverage appeared to have forced its hand.

In reaching the decision announced last month, Thurrock Council brought in senior legal planning advice and its officers visited the site and Nub News was told it was definitive and decisive action.

It appeared a rare instance in recent times of the council standing up to aggressive developers and the bite in the council's action was greeted appreciatively by residents, whose spokesperson said: "This news is welcome and we look forward to a better local environment in the wake of the council action."

There was particular praise for Cllr Lee Watson, cabinet member for good growth, whose direct condemnation of the developers included the statement: "This is tough and decisive action which clearly shows we will not tolerate such a flagrant and destructive breach of planning regulations.

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Skips and building supplies materials on a site designated as 'green belt'.

"Without proper consent this plot of land has become an industrial site, a blight on the landscape and nuisance for neighbours living in the road.

"These developers have ignored planning rules and created a site that severely impacted neighbours, all out of their selfish greed.

"It is entirely unacceptable. As a result we are taking tough action to stop them in their tracks and ensure the site is returned to being green and pleasant, which is what it has permission for."

Today, (Wednesday, 8 October), the council has stepped back from its promise to residents and says the site can stay.

An announcement says: "A planning enforcement notice served on a depot in Vange Road, Vange, will pave the way constructive dialogue between the site's owners, local residents, and the council to help make sure that the site operates in a way that is more considerate of neighbours.

"Following discussions with the council, the depot will remain on site and its owners have agreed take proactive steps to address concerns raised by the community. That includes meeting directly with neighbours to listen to their experiences and work with them to reduce disruption caused by the depot's activities."

Despite her previous tough words, Cllr Watson appears to have turned turtle.

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Far from  ensuring the site is 'returned to being green and pleasant' she says its operators can carry on. And with new plots earmarked for letting and development, the site could actually expand.

Images from the controversial site.

Cllr Watson now says: "This enforcement action has opened the door to meaningful cooperation. The depot owners are now working with the council and local residents to develop solutions that minimise the impact of their operations.

"We hope by getting all sides together we can come up with solutions that work for all and allow residents to live their lives in peace and the business to operate as a considerate neighbour. We are in a period of mediation where we hope to achieve the best possible outcomes for neighbours.

"This is a chance to get everyone together so we can seek an amicable solution that works for all."

Today's news has shocked residents, with one saying they had been 'stabbed in the back' and 'betrayed' and suggesting the council has backed down for fear of having to pay costs to back a legal battle, adding: "They've balanced 'risk and reward' and decided we are not important enough it seems. They haven't got the courage to back their own words.

"We residents are now left with no options. It's frustrating to see tough action withdrawn after the council itself described this as a flagrant breach of planning rules.

"Residents have endured years of noise, disturbance and uncertainty, and we're only asking for the site to operate within the same planning framework as everyone else.

"We'll take part in discussions, but we expect the council to make sure this process leads to compliance — not a backdoor deal."

Cllr Watson is going to be chairing a mediation meeting between the council, landowner and residents. It's likely now that she may not get the plaudits handed out after her initial words.