A SECOND application for hundreds of new homes in the green belt in Corringham is on the verge of being submitted to Thurrock Council.

Last week Thurrock Nub News reported on an application for up to 525 new homes on land north of Southend Road.

In advance of a full application developers Mulberry Strategic Land submitted a request to see if an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) would be required for their plans and confirmed that a major application for permission for the homes, a new primary school, a care home for the elderly, a convenience store and a community centre would be forthcoming soon.

A similar request is now about to be submitted from another company, Telescope Property.

It is seeking for permission for up to 320 dwellings, including provision of specialist housing for the elderly, on land on the other side of Southend Road, and west of Lampits Hill and adjacent to Mossbourne Fobbing Academy (Gable Hall School).

Telescope says it is acting for Landowners who are 'longstanding residents of Thurrock, many of whom either live on the land or have operated businesses there'.

Telescope, which is registered in Dunstable, has two shareholders Danny Woolley-Young of Toddington and Paul Thornton, of London. Its latest published accounts show the company has assets totalling £726,019, but debts of £920,711

In a letter to local ward councillors Mr Woolley-Young, its managing director, says the company is 'a locally based property developer/land promoter' and is actively involved in several other projects within Thurrock.

He adds he has strong ties to the area, having grown up locally, and the company maintains 'an active and ongoing relationship with Thurrock Council'.

Mr Woolley-Young says: "Our application offers officers and members the opportunity to support a proposal in a highly sustainable location, strategically situated near DP World London Gateway which is the largest Freeport in Europe, and a significant employer within Thurrock and Essex.

"The site's close proximity to DP World London Gateway further enhances its sustainability by providing employees with more efficient and environmentally friendly commuting options.

"This reduces reliance on long-distance car travel while aligning with the council's objectives for sustainable growth and infrastructure development.

"We intend to bring forward a 'grey belt' application that is fully compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework Golden Rules for the following key reasons:

• The application will deliver a significant proportion of both market and affordable housing (50%) within a 5-year deliverable timeframe, contributing to the council's 5-year housing supply.

• It will include essential improvements to local and/or national infrastructure.

• The proposal incorporates the provision of new publicly accessible green spaces, including an upgraded Public Right of Way.

"Our application has been carefully designed to align with relevant planning principles and policies and demonstrates the sustainability of the location and how our application can be delivered independently, delivering much-needed market and affordable housing to form part of the solution for Thurrock's housing delivery for local residents.

"We appreciate the council's positive engagement, particularly given that our site has been identified and allocated for residential development in all growth scenarios outlined in Thurrock's Regulation 18 emerging Local Plan.

"We believe that this is the proper way to engage when proposing new developments and look forward to continued working with council officers and members.

"We remain committed to work with the council and hope that council members will continue to engage in meaningful dialogue, as we progress towards submission and post submission."