A TILBURY councillor explained why he sees no viable alternative to a controversial site for a planned new £8.4 million building to host a Youth Zone in the town.

While there has been a warm and welcoming response for the scheme to be run and managed by the Onside Youth charity, plans to put the building on the Anchorfield, one of Tilbury's few remaining green spaces, have been opposed by many residents - and other ward councillors.

Nevertheless Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park Cllr Allen Mayes says the site apoears to be the only viable option, though he acknowledges the legitimacy of some concerns. 

Cllr Mayes took part in a meeting hosted by the town's community forum in the town last week and his support for the scheme and site went down like a lead balloon in some quarters. 

Many residents who attended the meeting spoke up for the scheme, but against the site.

Residents had suggested other sites in the town, but Cllr Mayes says he believes they are not viable.

He said: "I want to reiterate that it is my view that it appears that it's the Anchorfield or nowhere. This was based on that fact that the drawings I have seen and were presented at a meeting about the youth zone to residents on April 2022 showed the building on the Anchor. Plus other sites are too expensive to build on or not accessible. 

"This being said, nothing is 100% and consultation must take place to get residents' views.

"I understand the frustration and anger that this comment may have caused people. However, I would rather me honest with you about what I am seeing and hearing than just try and be popular. 

"In terms of alternate locations the former police station is not owned by Thurrock Council and would be an additional cost to develop the site and would make the project unaffordable. 

"The Hume Avenue yard site, which I proposed and have spoken about my preference to this site (it still is my preference) also has issues. It still has leases left to run on the land and it will cost to develop the land which would make the project unaffordable. 

"The Daisy Field is too far from the town centre."

Cllr Mayes then offered 'some initial facts' about the Anchorfield proposal, saying: "If built (nothing is guaranteed and subject to consultation and planning permission being granted) then it would take around 17-18% of the green space of the Anchorfield. Leaving 82/83% to still walk dogs, play on the field and even hold events such as the carnival. 

"The drop off point would be in the section of Hume Avenue, that goes through the field, not the part with homes on it. 

"The building would be around 140 feet from the nearest residential property and would include planting to support the loss of green space.

"A legal protection would be put on the planning application to ensure the land returns to green space if the youth zone fails (which I hope it doesn't) and no houses can be build on the land.

"I visited the Future Youth Zone in Dagenham today along with my son, to see it for myself.

The Youth Zone will have:-

A two court sports hall. 

Gym

Sensory room

Boxing gym

Dance studio

Climbing wall

Muga Pitch

Arts and crafts area

Music studio

Mentoring support rooms

Chill out area

Computer games area

Kitchen to support young people learning to cook.

Hot food for £1 and 50p entrance charge. Plus a £5 per year membership fee. 

"There might be more, however I was so amazed by the Youth zone at Dagenham today that I may have missed something. 

"We really do need this, so I hope everyone engages when the consultation comes around and we make sure we do not lose this fantastic opportunity for our young people."