A FORMER sports ground and fireman's club in Aveley could make way for an employment site.

Mountpark Properties Ltd and Arterial Hub LLP want to demolish the former club on the 41-acre site in Purfleet Road and build seven employment units.

The site is located within the Green Belt and a small part is brownfield.

The units would be used as general industrial, storage and distribution businesses with office space.

New vehicular access from Arterial Road and pedestrian/cycle access from Purfleet Road will be provided along with "green buffers", a wellness garden and gateway park and trail. It will also include 269 car parking spaces, with 16 Blue Badge bays.

A public consultation was held in November 2023, including an exhibition.

Feedback was received from 65 respondents and local councillors. Key concerns included HGV traffic, green belt impact, and site accessibility. The proposals were amended to address these concerns, and the site was renamed "Arterial Hub".

Following the amendments the council received nine objections to the application over additional traffic, pollution, overlooking, excessive noise and it being out of character with the area. One letter of support was submitted.

The site was historically used as a private sports ground by the London Fire Brigade but has been unused since 2015.

There have been a number of applications for development of the site over the years, including for housing. In 2013 a plan for more than 500 homes there was rejected.

Last year Nub News reported on a tandem development project that would see a compensatory sports development at Belhus.

That remains on the table and would be secured by section 106 agreement.

The sports development will include artificial grass pitches, a pavilion with changing facilities and spectator areas.

A report recommending approval of the scheme to Thurrock's planning committee, which will decide the application on Tuesday (9 September), said: "The application proposes the redevelopment of the site to deliver a high-quality employment.

"The proposal represents a significant inward investment opportunity and would contribute positively to the borough's employment land supply, supporting economic growth and job creation."

The planned sports development at Belhus.

It adds: "The site is designated green belt but is considered to constitute acceptable grey belt development. While the development will result in the loss of a former private sports ground, Sport England has confirmed that the proposed off-site mitigation at Belhus Park, alongside a financial contribution toward bowls provision, is acceptable."