THURROCK Council has offered reassurance to residents in a condemned borough tower block that new telephone masts on the top of the building do not mean a planned demolition project will be delayed.

New masts have been placed on the top of Morrison House in Blackshots, Grays, to support the 5G telephone network.

As the tower block is due to be demolished, once all the residents have been decanted, the move raised questions from tenants – with some wondering if the demolition and decant had been put back, while others wondered if reported threats to health from the new type of signal has been considered by the council.

However, the council has given an assurance that the programme for demolition is moving ahead and that the replacement is part of a scheduled process by the telecoms companies.

A statement from the council says: "In May 2024 EE submitted a Telecommunications Enquiry (TELENQ) for the installation of masts on Morrison House, Grays.

"As the TELENQ fell within the limits of Permitted Development, EE are not required to submit a planning application.

"As long as the masts are in line with the permitted development rights there is no action the council can take."