THE first step has been taken towards the possible building of 130 new homes in a Thurrock village.

Potential developers of the site off Clockhouse Lane in North Stifford asked Thurrock council officers if it would be necessary for them to undertake a full scale Environmental Impact Assessment which would be a detailed and expensive part of any submission for a planning application.

The assessment would mean gathering detailed information on the proposed development on the site of the former Ardale School including a detailed study on the local biological and ecological impact.

Officers have this week ruled that such an assessment will not be needed, meaning it is likely that a planning application for the undeveloped part of the school site may be forthcoming soon.

Developers say the new homes will include up to 55 affordable dwellings and the site would also include up to a 75-unit care home with associated landscaping, parking and infrastructure, as well as ecological enhancement.

The former Ardale School (see video report) closed in 1994 and was left derelict before being developed as a new housing estate.

As the Google Maps aerial photograph shows, there are still swathes of land that could be developed, though the approved assessment application (you can read it via this link) does not show exactly where the new development would be.