RESIDENTS in the Howard Road area of Grays have expressed concern that little is being done to stop what appears to be an unlicensed car breaking operation carried out on a derelict site.

The area behind Bannatynes Fitness Club which is the subject of a controversial planning application for a number of tower blocks has been fenced off and residents report a car breaking business is being operated from it.

The previously derelict site where a block of part built flats uses to stand has twice been the subject of major fires and is considered a blight on the neighbourhood.

Complaints have been made to Thurrock Council, with evidence supplied but the site continues to operate.

It is said that there is noise and nuisance caused by the site to the detriment of the lives of residents in the area, who add that apart from moving mobile buildings onto the site, trenches have been dug in the concrete foundation to act as pits for people working on the underneath of cars.

Thurrock Council has been asked to comment.

This evening (Tueday, 2 March) ward councillor Abbie Akinbohun contacted Thurrock Nub News to say: "There's currently an enquiry going on about it in the council and I will make sure to inform the residents of the outcome."