RESIDENTS in Orsett say they face returning to living in fear after a senior Thurrock Council director overturned an eviction notice on a violent and troublesome tenant.

In December residents living in or close to Phillips House on Ridgewell Avenue in the village expressed relief when the council, supported by police, went to court to close a flat in the block, occupied by troublesome resident Zach McCarthy.

The order was granted because of persistent anti-social behaviour by a tenant and police then accompanied council staff to the flat, which was closed and boarded up.

A statement from Essex Police said: "The action followed lengthy investigations and joint work between Essex Police and Thurrock Council's Community Safety Partnership. They represent positive steps to combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminality in our communities.

"A closure order is a legal power that allows us to restrict access to a property for up to three months when it is linked to persistent ASB, nuisance, or disorder. This measure helps protect residents and restore peace to affected areas.

"We remain committed to working with partners and the community to tackle ASB issues and keep Thurrock safe."

Mr McCarthy was moved on and is believed to have been living with his mother.

However, an appeal was submitted to the council asking for a review of the decision, alongside claims that Mr McCarthy had reformed and no longer posed a threat.

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Thurrock Council has confirmed the appeal – and the outcome, saying: "Following the original Closure Order granted in December, a Notice Seeking Possession was issued to the tenant, Zach McCarthy. He exercised his right to appeal this decision, and the appeal was heard by Assistant Director Mike Dineen.

"After reviewing all of the information presented, he made the decision to revoke the possession order. Part of this decision was based on the view that Zach was not suitably housed and we are now working closely with housing colleagues to identify alternative accommodation options for him."

One of those options is returning Mr McCarthy to Phillips House, something which ward councillor Barry Johnson believes should not happen.

And he is shocked that the council already recognise the decision by Mr Dineen, who is Assistant director for community protection and enforcement services, may be flawed by saying: "Please be assured that if Zach returns to the property and any further anti-social behaviour occurs, we will review all evidence and take the necessary enforcement action."

Disappointed that the council cannot guarantee Mr McCarthy will not reoffend, Cllr Johnson told Thurrock Nub News: "While I will accept that the response is lawful, on the council's part due to the person not being suitably housed, I have asked how long alternative options might take and if by means of necessary enforcement action will be taken against him offending again, does that mean being removed.

"Where would he be removed to and why is that move not being investigated now as I do not think it is fair on the people of Phillips House?"

A council response to Cllr Johnson says: "I appreciate that this is disappointing news. However, we must act within the legislation available to us, and each stage of the process must be carried out lawfully and fairly."

Meanwhile residents on Ridgewell Avenue say they fear a return of the troublesome tenant and do not believe that the appeal hearing was fair, as their views were not taken into account.

One told Nub News: "This is shocking. Since he went the area has improved and we have felt safe. Now that feeling of safety is gone. I am very distressed by this news and I am now actively seeking to get out of this neighbourhood, something that will be difficult to do, but anything would be better than going back to what it was like.

"We should have been asked, not told he could just come back."

Thurrock Council has declined to respond to repeated requests by Nub News for a statement.