TRAVELLERS have been given the go-ahead to build a day room on a site in the Thurrock green belt.

Five families living at the Beauchamp Place site, accessed via Malvern Road, in Little Thurrock, will benefit from a new 14.2 metre by 8.1 metre facility which includes a central open TV room leading to a kitchen/utility room, a rehabilitation room, a bathroom, a study room and a disabled bathroom.

At Thurrock Council's recent planning meeting councillors heard the new community area would particularly benefit a child with special needs.

The site for five mobile homes, five touring caravans and a smaller day room was approved in 2019. The approved day room will no longer be built and stables will also be removed to accommodate a new layout.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Lee Watson said: "I think it's very sympathetic to what that site really is. I think it, would be a benefit for the area.

"I'm in favour of this. I think it's a good plan."

Cllr Sue Little added: "I went down and had a look and was impressed with how tidy it was. It looked really good. I think it's good idea and quite an asset to the group of travellers and the fact they can't put heavy lorries on it or run businesses from it like sometimes they have from the site in Orsett, I would support it."

Councillors heard only the five named families could live on the site and anyone new wanting to move in would have to apply to the council.

Stephen Taylor, a co-opted member of the committee and member of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, also gave his support. He said: "Given when this went through five or six years ago, the people involved have stuck by the rules as were set down. They've not tried to abuse anything I think is a very positive sign.

"As much as it's a green belt thing, that bit's gone from my perspective until they leave, if they ever leave.So to do what they are proposing now makes a lot of sense to me. Much as it goes against the grain I wouldn't object to it."