DESPITE local opposition about the location on a public open space, Thurrock Council's cabinet has given the green light to press ahead with a new youth zone.

It will be built on part of the Anchorfield, one of just two significant open spaces in the town but the site planners say it will not be intrusive and that trees and a significant park of the park will remain.

Though there has been a lot of acknowledgement that the new centre will be an asset to Tilbury, many local people remain unconvinced about its location, saying there are other brownfield sites in the area. Some have pointed to the former Tilbury Police station, which has just been put up for sale by the Essex Force, as a much better site.

However, cabinet members have stuck to the original plan and approved it last night (Wednesday, 13 July).

The Anchorfield is a green zone in the heart of Tilbury but part of it is earmarked for a youth zone development.

A full planning application will now be prepared and submitted to the the authority.

That is likely to be a focal point for more debate and Tilbury Riverside independent councillor John Allen, who has been extremely vocal in his opposition to building on the Anchorfield, says he will now step up his actions including getting more signatures on a petition opposing the development in that location.

After last night's decision he said: "I've never felt more determined than I do now to show that green space in Tilbury matters and can't just be taken against the will of its residents. I'm asking those who are opposed to more of the Anchorfield being lost to the further building of a youth facility to help me obtain a petition like Tilbury has never produced before!

"I would love to think this community can absolutely come together and show this lot that we mean business when it come to saving our green space!"

Fellow Riverside ward councillor, Conservative Allen Mayes is a staunch advocate of the plan and he has previously told Nub News why it is a good idea. Last night after the unanimous decision by cabinet he highlighted the benefits of the scheme again, drawing local people's attention to a video produced by the Onside charity, which will be running the new centre. we have attached the video to this story.

In it Onside's David Mellis says: "Most of the concerns have been about the site and where to put it. Anchorfield is a really good location near the civic centre and near the bus stops. What we are keen to do is take as little of the park as possible, to keep as many of the trees there.

"People are also concerned it might be close to where they live, to their houses, and so it's balancing those concerns and having it sat back enough in the park so it's not right outside people's windows and can still have all the things that a youth zone needs to have, all the facilities but also to fit into that context as well as possible. "

Onside say the new facility will be aimed at young people aged eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. It will open seven days per week. Members will have the opportunity to access more than20 activities every night, ranging from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training as well as dedicated youth worker support. The cost will be 50p per visit and £5 annual membership.