COUNCILLORS will take another opportunity to discuss a controversial planning application for Stanford-le-Hope when they meet tomorrow (Tuesday, 8 September).

Plans for eight dwellings on a piece of infill land between Fairview Avenue and Ryde Drive in the town were first mooted in February this year.

Applicants are the Incidental Land Company, and it is planned the eight homes, which will have two, three or four bedrooms, will be built by Taylor Wimpey.

The applicants say they have accrued ownership of the land over a number of years, latterly working in conjunction with Darren Higgins of 22 Fairview Avenue and Mark Richards of 24 Fairview, who appear to have ceded some of their land to allow access via an existing lane.

However other residents on Fairview Avenue and Ryde Drive do not support the application. The council received 25 letters of objection from residents whose concerns included a current land ownership dispute, loss of amenity, privacy, direct overlooking and loss of natural light.

The narrow entry to the planned development site

Residents also said there would be noise, disruption and loss of green space and "additional traffic on already over-trafficked road network meaning parking will become more of an issue than it already is".

Jane Browne, of Fairview Avenue, was among many who objected, saying: "Fairview Avenue and its surrounding roads are already extremely busy both with traffic passing through to the St Margaret's estate and with residents trying to park their vehicles near their homes.

"Parking is already problematic, there are just too many vehicles for the spaces available."

The application was called in by local councillors and first debated at a meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee in July, when members said they were minded to reject it.

The matter came back to councillors at their meeting on Tuesday, 12 August but was again deferred to allow a site visit and further comment from applicants and objectors.

Nub News has filmed the existing site, which residents say is a haven for wildlife and protected fauna including ancient trees.

The application comes back to committee tomorrow when a decision is expected. 

Despite the adverse comments from councillors and issues raised at the site visit, planning officers are continuing to recommend approval for the scheme.

Members will also be updated on part of the land that is in disputed ownership. HM Land Registry has confirmed it has served notice on the developers regarding an adverse possion claim.