AFTER years of it lying derelict - and after two major fires - new plans have been submitted to Thurrock Council to create a prestige housing development of 344 new homes on an abandoned site in Chafford Hundred.

The site, to the rear of Bannatyne's Gym on Howard Road was first opened up for development about ten years ago and work began on building 140 flats. But the company behind the project went bust and since 2013 the less-than-half completed development has been a blot on the local landscape.

In 2017 the plot was the subject of a huge blaze that spread to the nearby Sainsbury's superstore and there was another fire there in July this year. You can see dramatic footage of the blaze via this Thurrock Nub News link.

The original development plan had benefited from a grant awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency to housing association Family Mosaic, who had earmarked 59 homes on the site for social rent. Since then other planning permissions for the site have been granted, but were abandoned because developers felt they were not viable.

Now the site is set to brought back to life if the latest plans submitted to the council win approval. And it will offer affordable homes to rent for 'key workers' say the developers.

The scheme has been put forward by Criterion Capital who want to create 344 homes, parking and new landscaping.

Under the proposals, key workers will receive first options on the new homes proposed which have also been priced to be affordable to them.

Criterion say the starting salary for teachers outside of London is £25,714 and the indicative cost for a new one and two-bedroom home to be delivered as part of the regeneration is £750 and £950 per calendar month, respectively.

The proposed scheme will be called Mardyke Gardens, and the developers say its name reflects the scheme's emphasis on improving the public realm and use of materials that represent the nearby Mardyke Valley and chalk of the nearby old quarry.

Twice in the last ten years Thurrock Council has approved planning applications for the site that were not built out because they proved unviable. Criterion Capital say they have carefully designed a plan that is deliverable and, if they receive planning permission, the builders will be on site within six months to clear the site and prepare for construction.

A spokesperson for Criterion said: "We are delighted to present our proposal for the regeneration of this site that has sat derelict for far too long. It is time to stop the rot and our plan will revitalise this part of Howard Road to create a much more attractive public realm and deliver the new homes Thurrock needs.

"Our brave key workers put their lives on the line day in and day out for us and as a token of our appreciation our regeneration will put them first. That is why they will receive priority for the new homes that have been priced with them in mind."