THERE were mixed fortunes for campaigning groups of residents during this evening's (Thursday, 14 July) meeting of Thurrock Council's planning committee.

Best-pleased were probably residents in Tilbury who have won the battle - if not quite the war - to stop a development on an open space on Kipling Avenue.

Local councillors and residents joined forced to lobby members of the committee who went against a recommendation by their officers to give approval to the building of eight homes on the much-loved and council-maintained area.

A full report on the debate will be published on Nub News shortly but this evening one of the area's ward councillors, independent Cllr John Allen was full of praise for his fellow councillors and residents, saying: "An absolutely fantastic result tonight for one of Tilbury's green spaces. It's been an open green and recreational space for some 37 years and has subsequently been maintained by both Thurrock Council and local residents.

"I would like to thank all committee members and ward Cllr Steve Liddiard - and local resident Lauren for speaking this evening to fight to maintain and hold on to this much loved and well-used used green space."

Also in happy mood were residents in Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope, who were worried that yet another attempt to build homes on the site of a bungalow on the very busy residential road, that is also the access to an industrial estate, might get through after the latest in a long line of submissions.

However, councillors were not swayed and the application was rejected.

Local resident Keith Mager addressed councillors, saying: "On behalf of the residents of Wharf Road and the surrounding roads I am here to make objections to the plans to build four houses on land to the rear of 63 Wharf Road."

He listed reasons why the scheme should no go ahead and ended by saying: "Given the opportunity local residents would like to take over the land, clear the mess and make it a benefit to the local community."

The scheme was rejected and that decision was endorsed by committee member and ward councillor Terry Piccolo who said: "I full agree with this decision."

Not so pleased were residents in Aveley, who lost their fight to stop the building of a new primary school on their doorstep.

There was something of a turn-up-of-the planning book when councillors voted unanimously to overturn a recommendation for refusal by officers for a new home on Lower Dunton Road.

The new building would be on the footprint of an existing, run down home at High Field, which will be demolished.

Councillors recognised the development was in the green belt and technically should be opposed, but they felt the scheme had merit and other decisions in the area had set a precendent, meaning it would not be fair to reject the application - which would also smarten up a run down area and, in their view, improve the green belt appearance.