WORK is underway on the latest batch of new council homes in the borough after a near six year wait.

The development of dwellings on disused garage space off Lyndhurst Road in Corringham was first mooted in March 2021 when the Conservative-run authority announced plans to develop it.

However, those plans quickly ran into trouble when it was discovered a council blunder meant they had failed to consult owners of some of the garages.

The issue was eventually resolved and, nearly two years later, the plan returned for consideration in February 2023 as part of a wider package of two new developments, the other being on the Darnley Road and Crown Road site in Grays.

The scheme for 53 new homes in Grays fell by the wayside and the council-owned car park site was sold off in April this year.

The concept survived though, and was adapted by the new Labour administration in midsummer 2024 to include new sites in Chadwell St Mary and South Ockendon. It was approved by the cabinet later that year.

The cross-borough project was funded by £9.8million retained Right to Buy receipts and £9.8million borrowing to be funded through the council's Housing Revenue Account.

After winning an election landslide in May this year, Reform councillors then got to consider the schemes and in July moved forward on the project for 11 new properties on Anton Road in South Ockendon. Construction there is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be completed by spring 2028.

Last month above ground construction work began on seven affordable family homes on another disused garage site in Chadwell St Mary. Cllr Rob Willoughby, portfolio holder for Adult Health and Housing Services, visited the building site on Vigerons Way to check out the work, where properties should be ready for occupancy by April 2027.

The Lyndhurst Road site, which used to be occupied by 67 underused garages, now completes the trio of garages-to-homes developments and it has again been checked out by Cllr Willougby, who said: "This excellent example of taking underused council land and using it to provide quality family council homes which will be for local people."

He was accompanied on a site visit by portfolio holder for regeneration Cllr Tom Kelly, who added: "By delivering good-quality, genuinely affordable homes alongside improvements to the wider neighbourhood, we can create stronger, more sustainable communities and ensure local people share in the benefits of regeneration."

The development, carried out by contractor Auburn Group, will provide six council homes, with private gardens and green space for everyone to enjoy.

Also in attendance at the Lyndhurst Road site, where homes are expected to be ready by summer next year, was Corringham and Fobbing ward member Cllr Ian Croom.