THURROCK Council's new civic office extension is set to be slightly smaller than originally anticipated.

Amendments to its design have been submitted for approval by architects LSI which see changes to some of the windows, the materials used and a lowering of the height of the new building.

The extension, which the council says will cost £10 million, has been the subject of huge controversy in the borough, being driven through by the ruling Conservative group, despite a majority of councillors voting against it.

The building is to be built by Kier Construction – the firm that is currently working for the council on the £40 million overspent and much delayed A13 widening project.

The full planning details of the changes to design can be found here.

An application for changes described as 'minor', have been submitted to council by Purfleet Centre Regeneration Ltd (PCRL) to the already granted outline planning permission for the regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames.

The project will see the development of up to 2,850 new homes, the building of a new school and creation up to 11,000 sq.m of business uses and there will be a completely new town centre and rail station.

The proposed changes to the current design include relocating the planned primary school to a new larger site, the realignment of the primary road layout and repositioning of the rail station facilities.

The amendments have been supported by the Purfleet Community Design Panel, which is the local consultation group. Its chair, John Rowles, says: "We have discussed this application and see no grounds to object and in fact fully support these changes.

"The area in question is a blank canvas and as the project progresses there will be need for change.

"By allowing these changes it will allow the developer to move forward and meet the demands for the future.

"As the project moves forward there will be less room for change, so the view of the group and as individuals is, let us get it right earlier rather than later where land uses may be harder to accommodate.

"After all, looking to the future is what this project is all about."

Full details of the planned changes can be found here.

Other applications to the council for planning permissions in the past week include:

Single storey rear extension with a flat roof and lantern over. 27 Berwood Road, Corringham, SS17 7QX. Ref. No: 20/01149/CLOPUD | Received: Thu 03 Sep 2020 | Validated: Thu 03 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Loft conversion with rear dormer and three front roof lights. 4 Harty Close, Stifford Clays, Grays, RM16 2BH. Ref. No: 20/01156/CLOPUD | Received: Thu 03 Sep 2020 | Validated: Thu 03 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Front porch.

39 Birch Crescent, South Ockendon, RM15 6TZ. Ref. No: 20/01143/CLOPUD | Received: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Rear conservatory. 22 Courts Way, Aveley, RM15 4DG. Ref. No: 20/01147/HHA | Received: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Validated: Fri 04 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

T1 Sycamore - reduce branches by 30 per cent. 16 Crescent Avenue, Grays, RM17 6AZ. Ref. No: 20/01145/TPO | Received: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Single storey front and rear extensions. 5 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, East Tilbury, RM18 8SP. Ref. No: 20/01133/HHA | Received: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Validated: Thu 03 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Demolition of existing garage and outbuilding; erection of single storey and part first floor side extension with Juliet balcony and front porch with integral garage. 82 Hall Avenue, Aveley, RM15 4LD. Ref. No: 20/01139/HHA | Received: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Garage conversion. 9 Cardinal Road, Chafford Hundred, Grays, RM16 6DW. Ref. No: 20/01138/HHA | Received: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Validated: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Part single storey rear extension to create a new downstairs bathroom. 30 Chestnut Avenue, Grays, RM16 2UJ. Ref. No: 20/01134/HHA | Received: Mon 31 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Two storey side extension. 258 Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon, RM15 5RH. Ref. No: 20/01132/HHA | Received: Sun 30 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Loft conversion including rear dormer and back addition dormer. 33 Rosedale Road, Grays, RM17 6AD. Ref. No: 20/01120/CLOPUD | Received: Thu 27 Aug 2020 | Validated: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Erection of a 20m column to support antennas and dishes along with ground based cabinets and ancillary development. Highway land adjacent to Dock Road, Tilbury. Ref. No: 20/01118/PNTC | Received: Wed 26 Aug 2020 | Validated: Tue 01 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Single storey and part two storey side and rear extension and single storey front extension, and new vehicle access to highway. 93 Mollands Lane, South Ockendon, RM15 6DJ. Ref. No: 20/01117/HHA | Received: Wed 26 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Single storey rear extension with roof lantern and garage removal. New roof with raised ridge height, hip to gable loft conversion with rear dormer with two Juliet balconies, three front dormers and front roof light. 8 Stanford Road, Grays, RM16 4XS. Ref. No: 20/01115/HHA | Received: Wed 26 Aug 2020 | Validated: Fri 04 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Single storey part side extension. 6 Beverley Close, Orsett, RM16 3EA. Ref. No: 20/01108/HHA | Received: Tue 25 Aug 2020 | Validated: Fri 04 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Demolition of existing single storey side extension and erect a self-contained one bedroom dwelling. 6 Elm Terrace, West Thurrock, RM20 3BP. Ref. No: 20/01104/FUL | Received: Tue 25 Aug 2020 | Validated: Fri 04 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Change of use from house in multiple occupation providing supported accommodation (C4) to dwelling house for young people where care is provided (C3(b)). 19 Thomas Bata Avenue, East Tilbury, RM18 8SH. Ref. No: 20/01101/CLOPUD | Received: Mon 24 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Rear extension with a depth of 6 metres from the original rear wall of the property, with a maximum height of 3 metres and eaves height of 3 metres. 6 Second Avenue, West Thurrock, RM20 3JB. Ref. No: 20/01102/PHA | Received: Mon 24 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.

Part first floor rear extensions with Juliet balcony, hip to gable loft conversion with rear dormer and Juliet balcony, one front roof light and internal first floor alterations. 11 Palmerston Gardens, South Stifford, Grays, RM20 4YJ. Ref. No: 20/01076/HHA | Received: Mon 17 Aug 2020 | Validated: Wed 02 Sep 2020 | Status: Awaiting decision.