THE agent bidding to win approval for a new retirement complex in Thurrock has called for support for the scheme.

Chris Nixon is the designer behind plans to build the new complex at The Red House on the A128 near Orsett Cock roundabout.

Mr Nixon says: "I am the designer/agent and would like to clarify that about 70% of Thurrock is in the greenbelt.

"However, this is a low value previously developed land, effectively a brownfield site which just happens to be within a green belt site.

"I can assure you all that I would not have even entertained the thought of drawing this up for my client if it had been a virgin field, woodland or playing fields.

"We are not some huge architectural practice based in Shoreditch or Holborn. We are a small local business and I live in the borough myself, as has my colleague who helps me with these applications.

"We spent an awful lot of time going through the new local plan and considering what types of housing and facilities the borough desperately needs.

"There have been too many big applications recently from the big developers who do not provide any affordable housing/facilities/additional infrastructure whatsoever for local residents.

"We decided we would try and buck this trend and add as many facilities as we could, hence why there is 45% affordable, a surgery, a pharmacist, a coffee shop, a community hub, a grocery shop.

"Regards the design, we took our inspiration for the layout from the star fort in Tilbury (The most iconic building in the borough!).

"I am constantly in discussion with my client and may yet change it to be a doctor and a dentist.

"We will even be trying to get the local bus service reinstated as part of the application. If approved by the planners we will be using local Thurrock building firms who employ people from Thurrock, sourcing all materials locally, whenever possible to help firms based in Thurrock, seeking to prioritise the affordable element for people from Thurrock.

"We will hopefully be creating new full time jobs for people in Thurrock, creating much needed housing (including 45% affordable) for people from Thurrock. I hope local Thurrock residents will therefore get behind this application."