DEVELOPERS hoping to bring the former Thurrock FC ground at Ship Lane back to life as a community sports facility as part of a wider planning application have brought their project back before Thurrock Council.

The scheme, which would have seen Grays Athletic FC become the senior club occupying the ground, was rejected on its first hearing in February by the council's planning committee because of the adverse impact of the green belt site, particularly on the roads of neighbouring Aveley.

However, a new application has been prepared, with changes based on the outcome of the first application.

The application is still primarily based around the development of former training pitches for a pre-delivery inspection centre for the Group 1 Automotive company.

The site will contain 1,263 parking spaces, a building and internal access roads.

The football ground will be refurbished, with a new all-weather 3G pitch for community football use.

You can read all about the application - and offer a comment, via this link.