THURROCK Council has conceded it has been aware of planning breaches and the operation of commercial and industrial activities on a rural site within the borough but it has chosen to take no enforcement action.

The site, formerly known as Greenwise Nurseries, has been renamed as Vange Industrial Park, and two significant businesses, a skip hire company and a construction supplies firm have been openly operating from it - even though it remains designated green belt.

The two firms are Drainfast, who retail drainage-related materials, and TLM, who provide skip hire and a waste management service.

Both companies suffered significant damage in a major fire yesterday (Monday, 14 April). 

The plot, which is split up into seven units, is surrounded by robust metal fencing and is split into seven units.

It is understood the five empty units have been let, and may be occupied in the near future. 

Residents living nearby have long-protested about the site and operations on it, which they say have a major and negative effect on the immediate environment. 

One told Thurrock Nub News: "In late 2022, the site was badly overgrown and was largely cleared by a 'mystery' fire that took place overnight.  

"Shortly afterwards, the development of the site commenced and what was largely a grassed area (on a conservation site) was covered via a compacted "type 1" base layer.  

"Despite all of the above-mentioned planning applications stating that a risk of flooding being a potential outcome, the landowner did this regardless and no-one from Thurrock Council seems to have ever queried this.  

"Consequently, the semi-impermeable nature of the base layer means that Vange Park Road is flooding on a regular basis, even over the last month when we didn't have any rain. Three residents in particular have come very close to being completely flooded

"Access to Vange Park Road is via one of two routes; the slip-road from the A13 or via Bells Hill Road. There is clear signage, recently replaced to ensure full visibility, stating that no vehicles in excess 7.5T can access the road.  

"However, we are still getting around 50 HGV movements a day in a road that was not designed for this purpose.  

"The road is being repaired multiple times a year and has collapsed three times over recent years."

Despite what appear to be significant environmental and planning breaches, residents say Thurrock Council has paid little more than lip service to its obligations, effectively turning a blind eye to the transgressions. 

In a statement to Nub News the council said: "Thurrock Council is aware of the site and have been investigating for some time.  

"We have been in communication with neighbours whilst carrying out the investigations of the site.

"The council was first made aware of possible planning issues in late 2022 and immediately launched an investigation into the activities of the site.  

"Our investigations included site visits and meeting with neighbours to understand how the operation of the site affects them. We have continued to have regular contact with them to this day either by phone or email.

"The council has also received complaints about noise from the site, which were acted on and resolved. The resident who made the noise complaint was informed of the outcome and told officers that the action taken had resolved the issue.

"Following yesterday's fire, officers have visited the site today to assess and investigate.

"As this is a live investigation we cannot share details at this stage, but we will continue to keep neighbours near the site informed of our progress."