A DEVELOPER has secured outline planning permission for up to 300 homes on green belt land in Corringham, despite strong local opposition.

Thurrock Council's planning committee approved the application by Telescope Property Group for land adjacent to Lampits Hill and Gable Hall School, Southend Road.

The scheme, reduced from 320 homes following a design review, will include one to four-bedroom properties, with half designated as affordable housing under a Section 106 agreement.

The development also proposes public open spaces, biodiversity enhancements, and improved pedestrian and cycle links. A single vehicular access will be created from Lampits Hill.

Objectors argued the site should remain protected green belt.

Anne Sandu told the committee on Tuesday (9 November): "This application is based on the false assumption that our green belt is grey belt.

"Only seven per cent of the site has development on it – 93 per cent is rolling farmland with oak and hawthorn trees, hedges and biodiversity."

Planning officers recommended approval after classifying the land as "grey belt", which applies to areas that do not strongly contribute to green belt purposes.

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Officers cited "very special circumstances," including the significant provision of affordable housing and proximity to the London Gateway employment hub.

Danny Young, owner of Telescope Property Group, told the committee the scheme responds to national housing pressures.

He said: "Planning policy has changed, particularly recently where housing delivery is a national political topic. These homes will support first-time buyers, downsizers, professionals and those employed at the growing port."

The application attracted around 100 objections, but Mr Young said a petition supporting the scheme gathered 900 signatures.

When asked how the petition was compiled, he admitted teams canvassed partly outside Corringham due to the site's history of opposition.

Co-opted committee member Steve Taylor voiced concerns about creeping green belt development, adding: "I'm not happy about development in the green belt under any circumstances. That's one of my biggest concerns."

Despite objections over infrastructure, traffic and loss of open space, councillors voted to grant outline permission.