A FORMER Thurrock police station could become a 26-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) for up to 39 people, despite concerns about its impact from police, who fear anti-social behaviour and a lack of integration.

Plans for the disused site on South Ockendon's Darenth Lane, which was put up for sale in 2023, include a first-floor rear extension and 26 studio rooms.

The building sits alongside both commercial and residential properties, occupying a prominent corner plot in South Ockendon's shopping area.

In 2024 permission was granted to turn part of the building into a gym and converting offices back into residential use, but the application never got off the drawing board and it wasn't until June last year that Essex Police announced the sale had been completed. The building brought in £1,207,500, more than £200,000 over the expected sale price.

In August this year an application to turn two former police houses on the site into HMOs, with five occupants in each dwelling, was approved by planning officers.

The new application was called in by Reform councillors Alan Benson, Shirley Bartlett, Linda Benson, David Hollenbach and Tom Kelly, meaning it will be decided by councillors at next Tuesday's planning committee.

Agents Scene Architecture have produced a detailed Design and access statement which can be read via this link.

Reservations about the new proposal have already been expressed by Essex Police, who say: "We continue to have concerns regarding the potential impact that a development of this scale may have upon community safety, residential amenity and local cohesion.

"Police experience indicates that large-scale HMO accommodation can present challenges associated with residential transience, weaker community cohesion and increased management demands where robust management arrangements are not in place.

"Whilst we recognise the need to provide additional forms of accommodation, the applicant has not demonstrated how the proposed development will actively foster community integration, support positive neighbour relations or mitigate the risks commonly associated with intensive HMO occupation.

"The proposed accommodation format may also limit opportunities for meaningful social interaction compared with more traditional forms of residential development.

"In the absence of measures specifically aimed at promoting community cohesion and resident engagement, there remains a risk that residents may have limited connection with both the site and the surrounding neighbourhood.

"Such circumstances can weaken natural surveillance, reduce territorial ownership and increase demands upon site management and local services.

"Essex Police remain concerned that the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that foreseeable risks associated with a development of this scale have been adequately assessed or mitigated. In particular, there is little information available regarding how issues such as antisocial behaviour, resident disputes, visitor management, noise nuisance, waste management, safeguarding concerns and out-of-hours incidents would be proactively managed.

"The successful operation of a large HMO is heavily dependent upon effective and sustained management arrangements."

NHS Essex also have concerns, saying: "Excluding one, existing GP practices do not have capacity to accommodate the additional growth resulting from the proposed development.

"The development could generate 39 new residents and subsequently increase demand upon existing constrained services."

Planning officers have recommended committee members grant approval, subject to a legal agreement securing an £11,900 contribution towards NHS healthcare services to help meet the demand identified by NHS Essex.

The first-floor rear extension would be built above the existing rear projection, providing seven of the 26 studio rooms and an external walkway for access.

Following requests for further information on parking and mitigation measures, the application was amended to incorporate a larger section of the former police station yard.

Revised plans were submitted back to the council in July this year.

Highways officers subsequently raised no objection, subject to conditions covering parking surfacing, cycle storage, electric vehicle charging and closure of the eastern vehicle access.

Committee members will make a decision on the application next Tuesday (13 October).

Essex Police closed the station to the public in 2016. For a number of years after its front doors were shut, the offices were used by officers, including a CID team, and beat officers, but they were mo ved to Grays Police Station, since when the site has stood empty.