THE ongoing difference of opinion between Thurrock Council's portfolio for housing – and his opposition shadow postholder shows little sign of abating.

Over recent months Cabinet member Cllr Barry Johnson has been prominent across the borough as he supported a projected list of areas in the borough which might be suitable for possible social housing.

The list, drawn up by officers, originally nominated 20 sites across the borough and opened up a discussion about their viability. Some are not contentious, but several sites immediately provoked a strong negative reaction from residents. Several have since been cut from the list in the wake of protests and consultation – much of it run by Cllr Johnson personally.

Cllr Lynn Worrall, who chairs the council's Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been a fierce opponent of the list from the start and has argued it was ill-thought out and undemocratic.

And she continued her condemnation of the list and the way the process has played out at last night's (Tuesday, 16 June) meeting of her committee.

Commenting on the way sites have been cut from this list Cllr Worrall, asked how the consultation process was being followed and pointed out an alleged inconsistency in the process due to the personal intervention of Cllr Johnson.

Cllr Worrall highlighted that one site in the ward that Cllr Johnson's represents was removed following his personal delivery of letters asking residents for their views. In other sites in South Ockendon - where Cllr Johnson lives - he told residents to provide their own petitions and those sites were also removed.

Cllr Worrall said there were many more unsuitable sites on the "blighted Tory list", many on green spaces, where residents had been given no option to remove them and asked how this was fair and transparent?

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In response, speaking to Thurrock Nub News, Cllr Johnson said: "It's called Community Engagement. We produced a housing consultation list, listened to residents and made a decision.

"I am pleased to say that people can see through the Labour group's rhetoric. I stand by the openness and transparency of the list and the decisions I have made as portfolio holder."

The five sites removed from the list so are: Springhouse Corringham - 55 houses, Ridgewell Orsett - 55 houses, Callan Grove Belhus -43 houses, Derry Avenue Ockendon -14 houses, Garren Lane and Humber Avenue Belhus - 26 houses. A total of 193 homes.