THE planned restoration of a piece Thurrock's historic landscape by a charity continues to be delayed, while Thurrock Council says it has no responsibility to intervene or try and help the process.

As reported in the Thurrock Independent newspaper in early May, concern was growing among local historians that a plan to breathe new life into a hidden garden quarry in the heart of Grays might not happen, despite years of planning.

The area, off Dell Road, is part of the former Treetops School site acquired from Thurrock Council by developers Keepmoat several years ago.

They built houses across much of the site but the currently heavily overgrown quarry area, which includes pathways and ornaments created in Victorian times, is supposed to be restored.

Keepmoat were supposed to hand over the site to the land Trust charity, together with cash to finance its restoration. They also had to build a viewing platform, which was done – but that was badly damaged by vandals in April.

The overgrown site

It seems negotiations between the Land Trust and Keepmoat had stalled, despite the deal being a significant part of the planning condition when Keepmoat were given permission to develop the site, which is now completed.

Today (Friday, 7 June, a spokesman for Keepmoat confirmed things were still in limbo but hoped that progress might happen soon.

He said: "We are currently in contact with the Land Trust to arrange for the area to be formerly handed over once we have completed the necessary repairs.

"We anticipate to have completed the hand over by July and will continue to work with the Land Trust and local council until this is completed."

However, a spokesperson for the land Trust said: "A spokesperson for the Land Trust has told us: "The Land Trust is continuing to work with Keepmoat as the issues at the site are addressed. We have not yet taken on responsibility of this site and have no clear transfer date at present."

The Treetops estate.

Thurrock Council, though mentioned in Keepmoat's correspondence, appears to have washed its hands of the issue – even though it set the terms of the planning conditions and is normally the body responsible for ensuring enforcement.

A council spokesperson told us: "The land has not yet been transferred by Keepmoat to the Land Trust, as such it is still Keepmoat's responsibility to maintain this wooded area.

"The council does not have responsibility for the land in question.

"Keepmoat and the Land Trust were signatories to the original section 106 agreement when planning permission was granted; the proposal is for the Land Trust to take over management of the area.

"Under the terms of this agreement Thurrock Council does not have any responsibility to monitor the timescales of the transfer. The land will remain Keepmoat's responsibility until the transfer takes place."