THE demolition of three tower blocks in Grays and the creation of a news housing estate as part of an overall project that will cost around £73 million has been approved by senior borough councillors.

The state of the three tower blocks in Blackshots has been a source of concern for some time and finally, media pressure on behalf of residents in mould and damp blighted homes – led by Thurrock Nub News and its predecessor the Thurrock Independent – has led to a change of heart by the council, which had often previously played down the extent of the problem.

Indeed, among councillors on the authority's cabinet who gave approval to the scheme last night (Wednesday, 9 March) were some who had rejected residents' concerns.

However, last night there was unanimous approval for the scheme, which was welcomed by local Blackshots ward councillor and cabinet member Ben Maney – who has been a major critic of the blocks and led the way for action together with fellow ward councillor Joy Redsell.

The scheme will see the creation 240 new council homes in Blackshots and the demolition of the three high rises towers currently on the site in a project fully funded, planned, managed and let by Thurrock Council.

They will provide top quality new homes for the people of Thurrock. Both develops are in addition to several other council developments already in the development pipeline.

Cabinet member for Regeneration, Strategic Planning and External Relationships, Cllr Mark Coxshall said: "The three existing Blackshots tower blocks provide 168 homes, 155 council rent and 13 leaseholders in total.

"All three blocks be demolished and replaced by a new scheme comprising of up to 240 units. The scheme will be an apartment-led proposal but with a quarter of the new homes to be houses.

"We will propose this to be a solely council development built entirely for general needs social housing with none built for private let or sale. This scheme alone represents a £72.325m in the regeneration of ailing housing stock within Thurrock."

The meeting also gave outline approval for a scheme for 82 new homes on the site of the council's existing but now defunct CO1 building in the heart of Grays.

Despite an interjection last week from council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill that he would like to see more homes on the site (and he reiterated that view last night) councillors have backed the building of 82 homes.

In a statement to the meeting Cllr Luke Spillman, who was not present, said: "I am delighted with this report which proposes the building of 56 one bedroom apartments and 26 two bedroom apartments on the CO1 site.

"This paper sets out various options for the development, however we wholeheartedly support the recommendation that this be a solely Council scheme which delivers, in its entirety, on this Cabinet's commitment to provide high quality council housing for the people of Thurrock."

Cabinet members also agreed to a review a review of the future of all the tower blocks within Grays and Tilbury, though it was not clear if this includes the three blocks in Chadwell St Mary – which have also been subject to critical reviews.

Cllr Coxshall said: "I hope that it is clear to all Thurrock residents that the starting pistol has been fired on the regeneration of Thurrock's social housing estates."

Members were critical of the Labour administration which, several years ago considered a proposal to demolish tower blocks in south Grays but in the end agreed a refurbishment programme was a better option in the wake of many residents of the blocks saying they preferred to stay in their existing homes.

That decision was described as a 'shameful' abdication of responsibility last night – though ironically one of those councillors who backed the retention of the blocks and supported opposed the council's suggestion for demolition was Cllr Spillman!

Cllr Gledhill concluded: "These fully costed schemes represent an investment of over £98 million by this Cabinet into social housing built to house Thurrock residents.

"Whilst Labour oppose any hint of progress in Thurrock, we're planning to 'build back better' in Thurrock. Residents can have no doubt that Thurrock Conservatives are investing in a better future for social housing in Thurrock. We have a vision, resources, and plan to deliver this much needed and high quality housing for Thurrock."