DEVELOPERS wanting to build commercial units on the former Fire Brigade Club in Purfleet have now released details of an associated scheme which would create new sporting facilities at Belhus Park in Aveley.

In November last year Thurrock Nub News reported on the launch of a consultation for the Fire Brigade Club site, which would become known as the Purfleet Employment Hub. That consultation has now closed and its outcome has been summarised in a formal planning application to Thurrock Council.

Details of that application, including additional comments from residents and the opportunity to make new comments, can be found via this link.  

How the former Fire Brigade club site might be developed.

In tandem with that application, and to offset the loss of green space and improve local sporting facilities, the developers, Mountpark, and its partners have launched a public consultation on plans to develop Belhus Park in Aveley, which will include provision of an all-weather pitch.

The proposal site is made up of the existing driving range area located within Belhus Park, adjacent to the existing Leisure Centre. It is currently owned by Thurrock Council and leased to Impulse Leisure.

Mountpark says: "The development would provide accessible state-of-the-art facilities for sports and community use, including two full size all-weather grass pitches and a running track with trim trails.

"Alongside the sporting facilities, the development would also provide community space, providing an upgraded pavilion with a café, and a community and wellbeing garden with biodiversity areas."

The location of the two planned developments.

To make way for the new facilities, the plans include the demolition of the existing driving range on site. At present, the golf driving range is unused and would require significant investment to be re-opened as currently it is unable to compete with modern nearby facilities.

Mountpark says key features of the plans to breathe new life into the site include:

·        Two top quality full size all-weather grass pitches capable of being used for multi sports

·        Accessible changing facilities for four teams with welfare provision and spectator areas

·        A new café to provide a food and beverage offering for players, spectators and members of the community

·        Biodiversity areas, running track with trim trails and an improved community health and wellbeing garden

·        New secure fencing, floodlighting and landscaping

Location of the existing, but unused, driving range.

Over the past year, the site development team says it has collaborated with Impulse Leisure, Sport England, Essex Football Association, the Football Foundation, Historic England, and Thurrock Council to explore the potential of what can be achieved at Belhus Park.

The consultation is now live and runs until Friday, 26 July. You can learn more about the plans by visiting the bespoke website (www.futureofbelhuspark.co.uk).

The developers are also holding a drop-in event so you can meet the team this coming week, on Thursday, 18 July between 3.30pm and 7.30pm at the Clubhouse at Belhus Park Golf Club, RM15 4PX.