PLANNING permission is being sought to transform four family homes on a relatively new Thurrock housing estate into homes of multiple occupancy.

The application is likely to further inflame local concern about the development of 20 homes off St John's Road in Chadwell St Mary which has courted controversy after many of the dwellings were used to house immigrants to the UK - who were placed there by the Home Office without the knowledge of Thurrock Council.

The homes, which are threaded around newly created Oak Grove, were originally intended to be for families. They are a cluster of two and three bedroom dwellings and when planning application was granted in 2013, it was understood that the homes would meet a need for local family housing.

The planning application for them even mentioned the quality of design for families and talked about local schools.

However, far from becoming an attractive asset to the local community, its neighbours consider it to be a blight on the area.

When the original application was submitted, the development was described as "being designed to resolve the untidy nature of the existing land whilst providing quality living accommodation much needed in this area."

Many of its neighbours would now beg to differ, with unkempt landscaping, scattered rubbish and anti-social behaviour reported among many of the tenants who have moved in.

The road appears a far cry from the "soft landscaping proposed as an important part of the overall design to support the local character and image and to provide attractive and private amenity space for the enjoyment of residents" described in the original planning application.

In April Thurrock Nub News reported on residents' concerns and their fears that more refugees would be moved into the houses.

A neighbour said: "These were supposed to be executive-type homes for families who worked and contributed to their community, not lived off the back of it."

It appears fears about an increasing number of single males being moved in may be realised if the four houses are each converted into nine bed houses of multiple occupancy.

The application for the conversion has come from a company called Asset Rock Thurrock Ltd, which is based in the Gherkin Building in London.

The four applications for the homes on Oak Grove can be found here - and residents can comment by following the links to the council's planning portal.

Proposed change of use from four bedroom house [ C3 ] to nine persons house in multiple occupation sui generis ('Sui generis' buildings are those that do not fall within any particular use class). 17 Oak Grove, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4BW. Ref. No: 20/01031/FUL | Received: Sun 09 Aug 2020 | Validated: Thu 13 Aug 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Change of use from four bedroom house (C3) to a nine person house of multiple occupation (sui generis). 13 Oak Grove, Chadwell St Mary, RM16 4BW. Ref. No: 20/01022/FUL | Received: Thu 06 Aug 2020 | Validated: Thu 13 Aug 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Change of use from four bedroom house (C3) to a nine person house of multiple occupation (sui generis). 9 Oak Grove Chadwell St Mary RM16 4BW. Ref. No: 20/00991/FUL | Received: Sat 01 Aug 2020 | Validated: Thu 13 Aug 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Change of use from four bedroom house (C3) to a nine person house of multiple occupation (sui generis). 11 Oak Grove Chadwell St Mary RM16 4BW. Ref. No: 20/01000/FUL | Received: Tue 04 Aug 2020 | Validated: Thu 13 Aug 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.