THURROCK Council planning officers have rejected an attempt by a residential park developer to extend a green belt site in the borough which is currently being built.

There has been considerable controversy about the plans for the new park at Walton Hall Farm, Linford, with the council having already intervened once to issue a stop order on the build.

However, they had to withdraw it, leaving the council red-faced when developer Monte Carlo Parks produced a previous certificate of lawfulness application that had been granted by a former council officer.

That certificate gave permission for 22 mobile homes and a further, granted, application gave them the right to add nine more.

And Monte Carlo then went back to the council, asking for a further certificate of lawfulness to extend the number of mobile homes to 46 – though in practice had it been granted the company could have put in more once the principle had been established.

However, the council has rejected the application, saying there was no previous occupancy of that part of the site by caravans. In fact it was a children's play area and car park.

In a notice to the applicant, the council says: "The development for the siting of up to 15 static caravans on the land would involve a material change in the use of the site and which would require planning permission."

A full report on the application's rejection can be read here.

In addition the council and other agencies are planning action for planning and environmental breaches on the site which include cutting down trees protected by a preservation order, removing hedgerows in nesting season and taking water from a fire service hydrant.

The developer has been taking water from a fire hydrant on Waltons Hall Road. Essex Fore and Rescue Service have confirmed no permission was granted, making the act an offence.

East Tilbury ward councillor Fraser Massey has welcomed the strong response by the council. Saying: "I am sure this decision will be welcomed by residents, as it is by local councillors.

"The 'extension' of this already considerable and controversial site into our green belt was never wanted, nor justifiable.

"Concerns remain about the granting of the original certificate and the level of diligence carried out by Thurrock Council, but sadly that is now history and we have the site for many new residents occupying 31 new static homes, which will be a burden on local residents facilities and will add to the local roads issues.

"As this development is aimed at those who will likely be seeking to use local GPs, dentists, and other services already struggling to provide services for residents.

"It may only seem a small development, compared with the more than 1,000 new brick homes headed our way but each and every development chips away at the ability of local infrastructure to support those residents already here, never mind those coming in.

"A number of concerns remain about this site, including the developer's consistent breaches of environmental and other rules and I hope that the council will continue to monitor the site closely and ensure that all planning permissions are respected and that penalties for those breaches that have taken place are levied."