COUNCILLORS have approved plans for 116 new homes on green belt land in Chadwell St Mary, despite objections from environmental groups and concerns over traffic and local services.

Thurrock Council's planning committee voted to grant permission for the development on an 18 acre site east of Chadwell Hill, following recommendations from planning officers that the land could be classed as "grey belt" under new national planning rules.

The scheme, submitted by NWM Properties with Bellway Homes as delivery partner, will see 58 affordable homes built alongside market housing, new access roads, public open space and ecological enhancements.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, Jamie MacArthur, regional planning director at Bellway Homes, said parts of the site were already visually and physically contained by existing development.

"We have a strong track record of delivering high quality new homes in the area," he said, pointing to a recent development in Fobbing. "The council's green belt assessment concludes the site makes a limited contribution to green belt purposes.

"Development is proposed only on the central part of the land. The application brings a range of benefits – 116 new homes, 50 per cent of them affordable, alongside high quality public open space. These are life changing opportunities for local residents."

Members of last night's planning committee backed housing proposal.

Labour councillor Steve Liddiard, who represents Tilbury St Chads, welcomed the scheme, particularly the level of affordable housing.

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"I'm very keen to see the affordable homes coming forward," he said.

"I don't think the estate will be a blot on the landscape. There's already a lot of traffic around there, but I don't see it adding too much to the roads. I'm very much looking forward to this development."

Reform councillor Tom Kelly also backed the proposal, describing it as higher quality than many comparable schemes.

"I think this is a nice scheme," he said. "It has a bit more greenery than you'd normally see, and I like the aspects of the ponds. Affordable housing is going to be really important, and with a Lidl going up nearby it's a good location for access to services."

Planning officers said Thurrock's significant unmet housing need weighed heavily in favour of approval, alongside the site's proximity to bus routes and local facilities.

The development will include two storey houses, maisonettes and small apartment blocks, a central "village green," and two large areas of open space within existing wildlife site boundaries.

A Section 106 legal agreement worth more than £250,000 has been secured, funding NHS services, special educational needs provision, bus stop improvements and open space maintenance.

Environmental groups – including Buglife, Essex Wildlife Trust and the Essex Field Club – objected on biodiversity grounds. Four objections from residents were also lodged, citing concerns over access, traffic, pressure on local services, and loss of amenity.

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