THURROCK Council has approved plans to transform a disused garage site in South Ockendon into seven affordable homes.

The council's planning committee gave the green light for the redevelopment of land and garages behind 20 to 24 and 34 to 44 Anton Road. The scheme will deliver a mix of properties, including a semi-detached pair of three-bedroom houses, a terrace of four homes (two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom), and an adapted one-bedroom bungalow.

The development will provide council-owned affordable housing and make use of an overgrown, unused section of land adjacent to the site. Plans include private gardens, landscaped areas, refuse storage, secure cycle storage, air source heat pumps, and solar panels.

A total of 20 parking spaces will be created, including six new spaces along an existing grass verge on the access road.

Planning officers said the proposal meets local and national policy requirements, contributes to Thurrock's five-year housing supply, and addresses urgent demand for affordable homes. The site, currently vacant, will be accessed via an existing road from Anton Road.

Speaking at Tuesday's planning meeting, Cllr Russell Cherry welcomed the scheme.

He said: "I spoke to a council worker who is living in a tower block with his family. He said he never believes his children will have a garden. This development will give people quality housing with gardens. That's what we should aspire to—getting families out of tower blocks and into homes with outdoor space. These few properties are a good start."

Cllr Aaron Green added: "There is a desperate need for council housing in this borough. This is a great scheme for Thurrock residents who have been waiting for homes. I'm all for it."

The project forms part of Thurrock Council's wider strategy to regenerate underused sites and tackle housing shortages. Construction is expected to begin next year following final planning conditions.