HOPES by homebuilders Bellway to get the green light for a major new development right on Thurrock's boundary were put on hold after members of the borough council's planning committee voted for a site visit.

The scheme for 168 dwellings on the green belt site of the former Waterworks at High Road, Fobbing, raised a significant number of unanswered questions from councillors at tonight's (Thursday, 26 November) meeting.

Members felt that it would be prudent to delay a decision, not just for a site visit but also to get answers from Bellway about concerns which centred on safety, the value the council was getting from the development in terms of affordable housing and the objections to the site by neighbouring Basildon Council.

Concerns about safety concerned access to the site, a level crossing on the adjacent c2c rail line and a large lake.

The application, initially for 178 new homes, was first mooted in May this year and reported on Thurrock Nub news in June.

More than six months on, planning committee chair Cllr Tom Kelly was keen to get the plan – which was recommended for approval – 'over the line' but his colleagues on the committee were more reticent.

Officers had told members that though the site was in green belt, the fact that it was a previously developed industrial site offset most of the normal environmental and open space objections.

A spokesperson for Bellway told the meeting that the company had a proven record of delivering quality schemes in Thurrock and that the scheme with 59 affordable homes would be a mixed community for first time buyers, downsizers and families.

There have been objections from local residents who fear the scale of the development and the impact it will have on the local area.

Cllr Angela Lawrence also felt that Bellway were being less than generous in terms of their contribution to the local community, saying: "We all know this is a prime location, I thought we might have negotiated something a bit better. The affordable homes are in an apartment block by a railway."

She proposed a site visit, saying: "I don't think we should rush into this, this is a major build". Something immediately backed up by Cllr Gerard Rice.

Cllr Kelly tried to sway opinion against that, saying: "We need to get these projects over the line. Highways have no issues, if our professionals say there is no concern then I would go against a site visit." He cited the potential delay caused by Christmas and Covid but Cllr Gary Byrne interjected by saying: "Getting it over the line and Covid is nothing to do with planning."

Cllr Mike Fletcher said: "In many ways, and I have said it before, if you are going to do it, go big, and this is exactly the sort of development for me that we could be looking at rather than trying to shoehorn the odd few houses into a field.

"But some of the points raised this evening have got to be dealt with. The fact that Basildon aren't comfortable with this is a problem. We don't know how Network Rail are going to deal with this, that is a problem.

"I am not entirely sure a site visit is the answer or asking the applicant to go and way come back with an answer is the way but there are too many questions that require answers. I'm pro the development but I want to see the questions answered."

He was backed up by Cllr Sue Sammons who said: "I have a real concern about this. It's an accident waiting to happen there, it's not a satisfactory situation."

Members voted for a site visit and it is not likely the matter will come back to the committee until well into the new year.