TWO Thurrock councillors have weighed in today (Thursday, 23 February) with their reasons why they oppose plans for a car storage and preparation plant in Aveley which would also feature Grays Athletic FC taking possession of the football ground on the site.

The former home of the now defunct Thurrock FC has been the centre of controversy and debate for around two years, since Group 1 Automotive first put forward its plans for the site.

There have been emotive appeals from Grays for local people to back the plan - with opposition coming in from Aveley, including Aveley FC, whose chairman Graham Gennings spoke up yesterday.

Two bids have already been rejected by Thurrock Council, one was thrown out before even being considered and now a fourth application – with Grays Athletic as joint applicants – in on the table.

The debate has become somewhat heated, with many local spats on social media as fans of Grays have clashed with Aveley residents.

Now two councillors have thrown their hats into the ring of opinion.

Ockendon councillor, Luke Spillman says: "I think it's only fair that I put my cards on the table before wading into this debate.

"I'm a former Aveley councillor, am now a councillor for neighbouring Ockendon and am proud to call myself a fan of Aveley football club.  Therefore, I think it would fair to say that I am not exactly an impartial commentator"

"That said, I fully share many of the concerns expressed by the opponents of this application, including the two sitting Conservatives Councillors and the Conservative candidate. The application appears to be wholly inappropriate for a number of indisputable reasons:

"It removes a swathe of greenbelt whilst causing considerable ecological and environmental damage to the area.  

"The construction and ongoing activities from the plant will result in increased noise, nuisance, congestion, and pollution for the residents in Aveley, Ockendon and Purfleet.  

"Plus the application will clearly negatively effect the business model of the existing football club in the area, Aveley FC.

"I know that this is a sensitive issue to Grays supporters.  I have a lot of time for the club and have attended a number of their games during their time as Aveley's tenants.  I sincerely want to see them return to being the thriving and successful community club they should be. 

"However,  I view this as a very short-sighted and poor deal for the future of Grays Athletic.  The club will cease to be a Grays club and I see no potential for the club to grow and increase its fan base whilst located at this isolated site.  

"I empathise entirely with how hard the wait for a new home has been for Grays fans.  I also understand just how frustrating the planning process can be. 

"However, I believe that it would be better for Grays Athletic to wait for the right move, than accept a shoddy deal that I worry will be doomed to failure."

Meanwhile Aveley ward councillor and former borough mayor Maureen Pearce is calling on fellow councillors on the planning committee to reject the bid.

Cllr Pearce says: "I know there is much emotion surrounding this application as many see it as a means to deliver a new stadium for Grays FC. The applicants have done a good job in trying to sweeten the plans with community benefits but these merely disguise what is at the heart of the application.

"The site would see the loss of precious greenbelt, which acts as an important demarcation between Aveley and West Thurrock.

"The planning committee must safeguard against this urban sprawl and not be swayed by emotive arguments.

"It is Aveley residents who will feel the brunt of the scheme if it is approved.

"Aside from the loss of greenbelt, there will be more traffic congestion including HGV movements.

"I fear the entrances into Aveley village are evermore becoming industrial sites and this detracts from the village feel that people here hold dear.

"This application is an assault on all of that.

"We know that Grays FC's search for a new home has been a long one and we all want the best for them. However, Aveley is not Grays and if the club cannot secure an appropriate site the council should look to provide one through the Local Plan, not this planning application.

"We already have a thriving football club in Aveley in the form of Aveley FC.

"Two stadiums in such close proximity is too much and I fear that the presence of a new ground would undermine the viability of the Millers.

"I was opposed to the previous application for a car storage site in Ship Lane, and spoke out against it at planning committee, and having read the latest application and weighed up all the arguments, it is clear nothing has really changed.

"The applicants have just done a better job in offering inducements and we must see through this. I am calling for this application to be rejected."