PLANS for two new artificial grass sports pitches at Belhus Park Golf and Country Club in Aveley are set to go before Thurrock Council's planning committee next week, with officers recommending approval.

The application seeks permission to replace a redundant driving range with two full-size artificial grass pitches (AGPs), a sports pavilion with changing rooms, toilets, kitchen and spectator facilities, plus storage areas, fencing, floodlighting, and a landscaped trim trail with biodiversity zones.

Belhus Park is designated as a Sports and Wellbeing Hub under council policy, and the proposals aim to address a shortage of AGPs in North West Thurrock. Sport England has confirmed the plans meet national planning tests and align with Thurrock's Playing Pitch Strategy and Active Place Strategy.

Although originally linked to a separate application to redevelop the former Fireman's Sports and Social Club site on Purfleet Road – which councillors rejected in September despite being recomended by officers to support it – the Belhus Park scheme can be considered independently. The applicants have indicated they may appeal the September decision, but officers say approving Belhus Park now would avoid a "non-determination appeal" and keep control with the council.

How the linked development at Purfleet could be configured.

Commenting on a public consultation, a spokesperson for Blackshots Leisure Centre welcomed the plans, saying: "We fully support this application. It will create permanent and part-time jobs for coaching, site maintenance and administration, and stimulate the local economy by attracting new users."

The site lies within the Green Belt, but planning officers note that sports and recreation are considered appropriate development under national policy. Conditions would be attached to manage lighting, landscaping and biodiversity.

The proposals follow controversy over the rejected Fireman's Club application, which sought to replace playing fields with seven industrial units. Councillors refused that scheme over concerns about merging Aveley and Purfleet, air pollution, and declining property values linked to industrial growth.

If approved, applicants say the Belhus Park development would deliver modern facilities for local teams and schools, while supporting Thurrock's ambition to improve health and wellbeing through sport.

The planning committee will make its decision on Tuesday (9 December).