AFTER protests by residents, Thurrock Council has pulled the plug on a controversial proposed land sell-off in South Ockendon.

Last week Thurrock Nub News highlighted local residents' fears over the proposal by the council to cash in, and sell-off green belt land around the Brandon Groves estate.

The proposal had been steeped in controversy from the outset, with the council initially posting public notices detailing the sale - but getting the address wrong.

At a meeting with residents at the civic offices last night (Wednesday, 26 August) council leader Cllr Richard Bingley reportedly backtracked on policy and confirmed the sale had been halted.

Residents who attended the meeting said Cllr Bingley confirmed that pressure from residents had caused them to review the council's options and they had decided to withdraw it from sale.

The land itself, to the north of Mollands Lane, forms part of the Brandon Groves estate. A campaign against the sale resulted in more than 1,300 signatures on an on-line petition in addition to over 250 letters directly delivered to Council offices.

A statement to Thurrock Nub News from the council today confirmed the sale is off the table, though it gave no explanation.

It says: "We can confirm that this land has been withdrawn from the consultation process and is not being considered for disposal."

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Nub News had asked for a comment on the reasoning behind the decision and attribution to the decision-makers but neither was forthcoming.