STANFORD-le-Hope could get four significant new housing development sites under plans outlined for the town in the draft local plan – and the selling point for two of them is a new relief road to and from the Stanhope industrial estate.

The new road would be built from a point close to the rail bridge on Wharf Road and would cut across the green belt to link up with the Manorway. It would also provide access to two new housing estates in the green belt – one adjacent to Wharf Road and the other infilling an area currently used as agricultural land adjacent to the Manorway, Corringham Road and Billet Lane.

The other two planned estates are on land close to St Clere's School off Butts Lane, previously featured on Thurrock Nub News, and on the site of the existing nine hole golf course adjacent to Buckingham Hill Road.

In total the new estates would provide between 850 to 1,100 new homes says the council.

Stanford would get a new primary school, provisionally planned to be placed on the St Clere's site.

Stanford's projected flooding risk.

In a contradiction to many previous statements by Thurrock Council, it now acknowledges the significant threat of surface water flooding in the town, particularly around the Hope brook that runs through its centre.

A significant part of the flood risk area is currently the site of a new housing development off Victoria Road. It also encompasses the now built out Persimmon development off the old Stanford Road. Residents in the region have long expressed fears that the two developments will impact negatively on the rest of the area, which has already suffered significant flooding during prolonged wet periods.

The council says its plans include enhancements to existing open spaces including improved sporting provision at the Billet with additional land for allotments and a new local/neighbourhood centre to the west providing floorspace suitable for things like shops, cafes, health and community facilities, offices and creches.

The following is extracted from the plan and highlights the council's intentions across the wider Grays area.

Places people live, work and visit - opportunity areas

Opportunity areas are places that we think have the potential to intensify existing uses and/or explore opportunities to bring forward new uses like more homes.

It is important that new development that takes place in these areas is comprehensively planned so that the infrastructure needed to support new or intensified uses is provided when and where they are needed.

The new Local Plan will seek to set out principles for the development of these areas with more detailed guidance produced as standalone documents i.e., development frameworks, masterplans, or design codes.

All homes that are delivered within opportunity areas would need to be net zero homes – with a minimum of 10% affordable housing provision (the target set is lower than edge of settlement sites as viability is likely to be more challenging within these areas) and 20% biodiversity net gain.

They would also be expected to make appropriate contributions to supporting infrastructure needed to support the delivery of the development such as transport improvements, open space/public realm improvements and improved community, education, and health facilities.

 The area around Stanford-le-Hope train station and town centre is identified as an Opportunity Area.

In this area we think there is an opportunity to bring forward more homes and opportunities for local employment alongside urban greening/public realm improvements.

Places people live - new neighbourhoods

New neighbourhoods are areas where we think new homes should be built. To become successful places they require supporting infrastructure, like education, health and community facilities, and open spaces. These should be delivered within the new neighbourhoods if improvements or expansions to existing infrastructure are not possible or appropriate.

Large new neighbourhoods should look to meet the day to day needs of residents with the provision of a local or neighbourhood centre which residents can easily walk and cycle to.

New neighbourhoods should also be well connected to the existing settlement and to other places where residents may need to visit, such as for work, shopping, or leisure activities. It is important that all our new neighbourhoods are designed as places and that the facilities they provide or enhance benefit both new and existing communities.

New neighbourhoods would be expected to deliver net zero homes - with a minimum of 35% affordable housing provision and a mix of homes in terms of size and type. They will be expected to integrate with neighbouring communities and contribute to the enhancement of walking and cycling networks, open spaces and leisure and recreational provision.

They should also address surface water drainage and the impact of noise and air pollution from nearby sources, as well as deliver 20% biodiversity net gain.

New neighbourhoods to the west and south of Stanford-le-Hope have the potential to deliver in the range of 850 to 1,100 new homes.

These new neighbourhoods will provide:

• A new primary school with early years childcare provision and potentially onsite SEN alternative provision, along with the potential expansion of existing schools and additional provision as part of an all-through school;

• Enhancements to existing open spaces including improved sporting provision at the Billet and additional land for allotments; and

• A new local/neighbourhood centre to the west providing floorspace suitable for things like shops, cafes, health and community facilities, offices and creches;

The council says it has consulted with Stanford residents already to shape its plans - but more consultation will follow.

Places people work - existing and new employment areas

The demand for employment land in the borough is expected to grow. To ensure there is enough land for businesses we will safeguard the borough's existing employment areas and propose new employment sites to increase supply.

Existing employment areas will be categorised as Tier 1, Tier 2 or Oil and Chemical Storage areas and new employment sites will be categorised as Tier 1.

The categories define the types of employment uses that would be supported within them and the instances where complimentary or alternative uses would be considered. Stanhope Industrial Estate is safeguarded as a Tier 2 site.

Tier 2 employment areas are typically located within existing settlements in areas that are predominantly housing or in locations where access is less suited to the type of businesses established in these areas.

Within Tier 2 employment areas the council will support a shift towards employment uses which are compatible with neighbouring uses and the amenity of the area.

The introduction of complimentary uses would also be welcomed providing there is no net loss of employment floorspace and there is no detriment to the operations of existing businesses.

Traffic restrictions will be put in place along Wharf Road and a new proposed access enabled by the new neighbourhood to the south of Stanford-le-Hope would be the main access route to Stanhope Industrial Estate.

Places people visit - new Local Green Spaces

We are proposing 18 Local Green Spaces across the borough and two of them are within Stanford-le-Hope - Hardie Park and Stanford Rugby Club.

These green spaces were nominated by the public and are recognised as having particular importance to their local communities. Their designation as Local Green Spaces through the Local Plan would give them a significant level of protection.

Alternatives: Unlike a number of the other designated areas across Thurrock there are no materially different growth scenarios being considered for Stanford-le-Hope. However, a no green belt release scenario is being considered at a borough wide level.

Plans for other areas across the borough (including Corringham, Fobbing, Horndon and east Tilbury) can be found in the overarching local plan. Click here to read our summary story and a link to view and scroll to your chosen locality