TILBURY councillors have pledged to continue to oppose and fight an application to turn a former convent in the town into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO).

The four Thurrock Council members, Cllrs Shirley Bartlett, Harley Pyman-Brickwood, Bailey Scott and David Hollenbach were prominent in opposing the plan for the former Convent of Mercy on Malta Road.

And their opposition helped sway members of the council's planning committee to reject the scheme, which was recommended for approval by planning officers.

Residents had raised concerns about the site being immediately next to St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary and Junior School, arguing the HMO was inappropriate.

Jo Seymour, chief executive of the Christus Catholic Trust, which runs the school, said the trust supported housing in principle but believed the application failed to address the impact of a 20-bed HMO next to a primary school.

She said: "The school and trust do not object in principle to the reuse of the former convent building or the provision of housing.

"However, the application proposes a 20-bed HMO immediately adjacent to St Mary's Catholic Primary School and Nursery."

Her view and that of the Tilbury councillors were given great weight by members of the planning committee.

However, the applicants Dole Nunn Investments have now appealed the committee's decision.

Not one member supported the application and no-one would even propose a recommendation in the officers' report to approve.

Ironically, had the application been considered by the committee after new, controversial government directives came into force on 1 November, councillors would have been powerless to oppose it.

If their objections are allowed to stand it may be a historic but now outdated example of local democracy in force.

A statement from Tilbury's councillors pledges they will stand firm when the hearing to reconsider the large, two‑and‑a‑half storey detached property is held by the Planning Inspectorate, saying: "We will continue to stand up for Tilbury and our residents!

"Our position remains unchanged. As your local Reform UK councillors representing Tilbury Riverside and Tilbury St Chads, we will continue to strongly oppose this development and do everything within our powers to ensure that:

• The original reasons for refusing planning permission are fully considered.
• The concerns and objections submitted by local residents are properly reviewed.
• The potential impact on neighbouring properties, parking, the nearby school and the wider community receives appropriate consideration.
• The Planning Inspectorate has all the relevant information and evidence before reaching its decision.

"We firmly believe that the scale and intensity of this proposed development are inappropriate for this location.

"We recognise the importance of providing suitable housing, but developments must be appropriate for their surroundings and must not come at the expense of the existing community.

"We fought to ensure residents' voices were heard during the original planning application, and we will continue to stand by our community throughout this appeal process."