DESPITE a tight-lipped approach from official sources, a borough councillor believes Thurrock Council is doing all it can to help residents caught up in a 'nightmare' situation after buying supposedly luxury new homes in Grays.

The long-running saga of Pullman Court has left many new homeowners out of pocket as they try to remedy a host of defects in the apartment block in the heart of the town.

Many of them have turned to Thurrock Council for help but believe their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

However, while a leading local councilor who represents the Grays Riverside ward says the council could have been far more proactive - as well as giving clearer information on what powers they do and don't have - it is doing what it can.

Cllr Jane Pothecary has also turned the spotlight on the government, saying its policy of deregulation has been a major cause of problems in the building industry.

Cllr Pothecary told Thurrock NubNews, who reported on the latest concerns of residents yesterday (see link below): "I'm in frequent contact with some of the residents at Pullman Court and have seen all of the deeply concerning evidence of the dangerous nature of the work undertaken at Pullman Court.

"This has all been forwarded to Planning and the council's health and safety team.

"I spoke at length a few weeks ago to Interim Director of Place, Andy Millard, about what the council can do in a situation like this.

"I have struggled previously to understand whether the council could not or would not take action.

"Mr Millard confirmed that unfortunately the Council does not have any legislative powers to take action, following laws introduced by the current government to deregulate building control.

"However, on behalf of residents, the council is trying to use its influence to get this on the radar of the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

"The council has formally written to Bureau Veritas and will now pass the matter onto the CIC and will press them to pursue any powers they may have to assist with residents' concerns.

"Sadly, there isn't much clarity on what the outcome may be.

"For me, this is yet another example of how deregulation screws over ordinary people and why local authorities should have more power to protect residents when they turn to us."

Thurrock Council has declined to make any further official comment on the matter.