COUNCILLORS have given the green light for two neglected garage blocks to be turned into social housing.

An application to build seven, two-bedroom homes in Vigerons Way, Chadwell St Mary, was unanimously approved by Thurrock Council's planning committee on Thursday (21 September).

The plans were submitted by the council's housing team and the homes will be council-owned for social rent

The committee heard the underused, council-owned garage block has become a magnet for litter and antisocial behaviour.

Steve Liddiard, Labour councillor for Tilbury St Chads, said: "We saw some fly-tipping there and we can recognise an area that's full of anti-social behaviour. Most of those residents wouldn't park their cars round the back anyway.

"It's great that we're utilising a brownfield site and it's definitely a boost to our social housing. I particularly like the design. I think it might increase the value of the area. Parking is not a problem. I'm very much in favour of it."

Lee Watson, Labour councillor West Thurrock and Stifford, added: "Anti-social behaviour has always been an issue round there and this is a prime area that housing can go in to stop some of that. It's flytip city there as well.

"I really like the council's actually building and even though it's only seven, small things that count. I'm going to support this application and I think it could do a lot of good in other areas of antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping as well as putting something back to help those on our waiting list."

Paul Arnold, Conservative councillor for Ockendon, also welcomed the scheme.

He said: "I'm not a lover of the design but it's clearly a massively underused piece of ground and I welcome this will be put to really good solid use.

"I'm also pleased to see there's been no attempt to squash too many on there. It's much appreciated and welcome."

Welcoming the 100 per cent affordable housing scheme, Mark Hooper, Labour councillor for Stifford Clays added: "I really welcome the fact we are building social housing. That's really good news."