PLANS to develop a new business and enterprise park on the site of the former Coryton oil refinery in the east of the borough were given the green light by Thurrock Council's planning committee last night (Thursday, 9 July).

Thames Enterprise Park will rise on the refinery site, that closed in 2012, with its backers promising up to 5,500 new jobs.

The site will be home to advanced manufacturing and next-generation energy, fuels and storage businesses.

It will also have its own 'town centre' offering facilities for workers.

The approval at planning did not come without some concerns.

Stanford-le-Hope councillor Terry Piccolo was one of those who expressed fears about how things might tiurn out. He told the meeting: "I wouldn't mind 5,000 cyclists going down the road, what I don't like is 300 HGV lorries going down the road. If we can stop stressing 30 per cent of it is green and look at what the impact will be on the local residents.

"At the moment DP World is only 60 per cent developed so while you might look at the HGVs using the road at the moment, that's going to increase exponentially once DP World becomes fully developed and we are going to have all that going down a two lane in each direction road to the site.

"I love the plan. What's there is really good, the thing is, it's going to be like getting a ship into a bottle. You've got to be really expert otherwise you are going to break it and you are going to break that part of the borough."

Council deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Mark Coxshall, said: "Thames Enterprise Park will drive decarbonisation, foster innovation and unlock countless opportunities for our residents, including up to 5,500 new jobs. It will also play a pivotal role in the long-term success of Thames Freeport, the UK's leading freeport, that will see more than £4.5billion in new public and private investment with Thurrock at its heart.

"We want everyone to know that Thurrock is open for business and will be a powerhouse for the UK economy. We will continue to seize these unique opportunities to level-up our communities for residents who will be able to live and work in our borough, by realising the potential to introduce thousands of new jobs on our doorstep."

Plans also include opening up public access to the riverfront and improving walking and cycling routes, as well as vital infrastructure improvements incorporating river, rail and road. 

Find out more at: thamesenterprisepark.com