TENSION and concern remain high around an unauthorised industrial on the northern border of Thurrock where both police and council investigative teams have recently been in action.

In April Thurrock Nub News reported on residents' fears after firefighters battled a blaze on the former Greenwise nursery site on Vange Park Road, near the Five Bells Roundabout on the A13.

Residential neighbours, who saw the flames go close to their properties, voiced criticism of Thurrock Council for not taking enforcement action and allowing their homes to be put in danger.

The council conceded it has been aware of planning breaches and the operation of commercial and industrial activities on a rural site within the borough but it had chosen to take no enforcement action.

The site was formerly a garden nursery but has been converted, without planning permission, into an industrial complex.

Two commercial businesses operating on the site, Drainfast and TLM Skips whose premised were both affected by the fire, have recently been joined by a third company - CED Stone - which has moved onto an area which has been fenced and given a hard core base.

The fire did stir the council into action and Nub News understands a senior council officer visited visited the site, together with a leading councillor, and residents were promised an update and that enforcement and planning officers would also be in touch. However, the residents say they are still in the dark about what is happening.

And their concerns were exacerbated when the third company recently moved in.

This montage shows how the site has been cleared and developed - without planning permission.

Tension also arose after a recent incident when a residents' vehicle was damaged during the movement of HGVs to and from the site. That issue is being investigated by Essex Police who said: "We are investigating a report of criminal damage to a vehicle in Vange Park Road, Vange, which was reported to have taken place at around 8.40am on Friday 25 July. 

"It was reported a window of a vehicle has been forcibly pulled down, causing it damage. 

"Enquiries are ongoing." 

Thurrock Council remains largely unforthcoming about its options and plans, but today (Tuesday, 29 July) said: "Thurrock Council's investigations are ongoing and we are keeping neighbours up to date with progress as they continue. We are aware of recent activity in the site, and that is being factored into our investigation.

"As this is a live investigation we cannot provide further public comment, but we will continue to keep residents living near the site updated with key information."

Residents have told Nub news that is not the case and one, decribing recent activity when police have been involved in supervising HGV movements, said: "Events that have happened lately demonstrate just how bad daily life has got.