THURROCK Conservative councillors say they are backing plans to turn Grays town centre's 'shadowy, empty spaces' into a 'thriving new town square where people can live, work, meet, sit, and enjoy a greener Grays'.

Offering backing to plans by the owners of Grays Shopping centre, NewRiver, to demolish it and create a new retail and housing zone featuring up to 850 new homes - some of them in tower blocks - the council's recently-elected leader Cllr Mark Coxshall says: "For too long politicians from all parties have discussed this idea but it's time now for us to push forwards with delivering change and building a more open, welcoming and business friendly Grays."

The plans by NewRiver have been several years in the making and last year the company made its first formal steps to bring them to fruition though progress faltered because of the covid pandemic.

The plans have now been revived and after a consultation in the summer with residents Justin Thomas, Development Director at NewRiver says: "We believe that a very exciting opportunity exists to regenerate Grays Shopping Centre and create a vibrant mixed use community hub in the heart of the town centre."

An aerial CGI shot of the new look town centre.

Thurrock Council's Conservative councillors have issued a statement backing the plans, saying: "The Conservative group at Thurrock Council have been engaging with NewRiver, which owns Grays Shopping Centre, to explore opportunities to which could turn some of those shadowy, empty spaces we've all grown to know too well, into a useful local space for businesses, housing and leisure. 

"There is clear public support for urban design initiatives that would reduce anti-social behaviour and increase the convenience, types of retail and sustainability of Grays by turning our ageing Shopping Centre, in need of structural repairs and no longer fit for purpose, into a thriving new town square open and full of choice for residents. 

"The project proposed by NewRiver has been showcased to residents and community groups through a public exhibition throughout this past year and they have invited residents to provide comments and suggestions at each stage of their consultation process.

NewRiver's vision for Grays.

"There is a clear need for housing in our borough and the potential to regenerate sites like Grays Shopping Centre will allow the Council to protect Green Belt land elsewhere in Thurrock while still delivering around 850 homes for local people in the heart of the town."

The proposal says New River will deliver a high density development and is intended to feature buildings of varying heights appropriate to the town centre setting.

Cllr Coxshall said: "This administration wants our commitment to regenerating Grays Shopping Centre with our partners NewRiver to be clear and we are hugely supportive of the plans that have been shown to residents as part of its public consultation exercise.

"As we move into the next stage of developing our local plan in Thurrock, residents will have the chance to outline how they want our borough to look over the next 15 years.

"Rebuilding our High Street in Grays into a modern and well utilised space is the best way for us to protect our Green Belt land elsewhere and create a social and community hub that will keep residents spending locally." 

NewRiver has held consultation exercises.

Mr Thomas said: "We are very grateful to Thurrock's councillors for expressing their support for our residential led redevelopment proposals in the heart of the town centre.

"We believe that a very exciting opportunity exists to regenerate Grays Shopping Centre and create a vibrant mixed use community hub in the heart of the town centre.

"It is our ambition to redevelop this ageing shopping centre, which is no longer fit for purpose for the local community, to create a thriving new town square where people can live, work, meet, sit, and enjoy a greener Grays.

"Our plans will provide much needed new homes on this previously developed site and an upgraded retail and leisure provision.

"Through our ongoing consultation there has been clear, widespread support from the community, interested stakeholders and Councillors for the revitalisation of Grays town centre that will breathe new life and bring new opportunities to the area. We continue to work in partnership with Thurrock Council as we progress these exciting plans.

"Visit our website to find out more and share your thoughts via our website FutureGrays. We look forward to hearing from the community about these landmark plans."