THURROCK Council is progressing its £26 million scheme to create 82 affordable homes on the site of council offices in Grays – first revealed by housing portfolio holder Cllr Luke Spillman in October last year.

Nub News exclusively reported on the surprise announcement by Cllr Spillman on his plans for the council's civic offices – which turned a previous pledge that the site would be sold to pay for the council's office expansion project on its head.

Cllr Spillman's plans were then criticised by political opponents, with Labour group leader Cllr John Kent saying: "This whole shameful project needs to be the subject of independent scrutiny before more millions are wasted on a scheme that is untenable, undeliverable and unnecessary."

Cllr Kent was speaking in anticipation of a report from Cllr Spillman going before the council's housing overview and scrutiny committee in January but that meeting, held at South Essex College where the council won't commit to hiring meeting rooms beyond 9.30pm, ran out of time and the item was deferred to the next meeting – now set to happen on Wednesday (2 March), this time to be held at the nearby The Beehive Community Resource Centre where time should not be a factor.

Ironically, it was planned that these meetings would be held in the new civic office extension, but construction delays mean it is not yet ready.

The report to councillors on Wednesday says: "The proposal to develop the civic offices for residential accommodation is consistent with ambitions in the Grays Town Centre Framework with regard to bringing forward new development in this area with the increased residential population supporting the vitality of the shopping centre and local business. "Design development through the planning process will recognise the relationship of this proposal to nearby Seabrook Rise estate to ensure the proposal is compatible in overall design, scale and massing."

The report, which has been put together by three 'strategic leads' on the council's housing, finance and 'strategic place' teams, can be found via this link.

If the scheme gets the go ahead, architects will draw up plans but they face challenges according to the report. The site is near a railway line and a road bridge bringing challenges in ensuring air quality and noise protection.

The proximity of passenger and goods trains to the building will also require careful consideration of the impact of vibration on foundation design.

Parking will be limited and may include an underground car park. A roof garden may be included to provide outdoor space for residents.

The scheme will be funded with £10.5million from retained right-to-buy receipts and housing revenue account borrowing of £15.6million.

All of the homes will be rented at below 80 per cent market rents to meet the definition of affordable homes.

If approved a planning application could be submitted by June this year and construction would begin in 2023 and be completed by 2025.