COUNCIL tenants and homeowners in Orsett are celebrating after winning their campaign to block a Thurrock Council redevelopment project that would have seen their homes demolished.

The residents of Ridgewell Avenue and Maltings Lane in Orsett were shocked to learn their homes were one of 20 schemes put forward by the council's regeneration team for the building of some of 500 new council homes on sites across the borough.

The need came in an exclusive Thurrock Nub News story, leaving residents angry about the lack of prior notice – with residents in Orsett who own their own homes particularly upset as the news had a significant impact on the value of their homes.

Campaigns began immediately across the borough and the scheme was condemned at a meeting of the authority's housing scrutiny committee. And, almost instantly, Cllr Barry Johnson, portfolio holder of housing and an Orsett ward councillor, scrapped a scheme on open space in Corringham. At a meeting of the full council he then followed up by reacting to residents' concerns about Callan Grove in South Ockendon by announcing he had ditched that.

At the same meeting Cllr Johnson's fellow Orsett councillor Sue Little, an outspoken critic of the plan for Orsett and who later left the cabinet which has approved its inclusion, said: "This site should not have been brought forward, it means compulsory purchase of people's much love homes and community. In our opinion if it went to planning it would be refused.

"The community spirit and cohesion would be broken by this scheme, which in one fell swoop has devalued privately owned homes. We ask that this development be withdrawn from the consultation."

Momentum and anger was growing in Orsett, culminating in a meeting organised by residents which Cllr Johnson attended. The meeting was broadcast live by Thurrock Nub News' Facebook channel.

He said he would consult directly with the council house tenants affected and sent them a letter. Meeting report. Yesterday (Friday, 19 March) the tenants received a letter saying the scheme had been abandoned – but the rest of the village, including homeowners, have not had anything official yet.

Even in conceding the issue to residents' wishes Cllr Johnson hardly seems to have covered himself with glory, with local resident and community activist Laura Blake among those expressing their disquiet with the way the whole process has been managed, saying: "While the news is good 'Dear Council Tenant' is very impersonal considering what these residents have been through.

"Have privately-owned properties also received a letter?

"Maybe I am wrong to expect any level of care and consideration for these things but I am obviously pleased and offer congratulations and 'well done' to everyone who made a stand against this."

Residents who own their homes have confirmed they have not had any official notification.