TWO more controversial sites being considered for social housing by Thurrock Council have been jettisoned.

News of the authorities plan to consider development on 20 sites across Thurrock was exclusively broken by Thurrock Nub News in February this year.

Since then the council has had to fight a rearguard action to keep its hopes for the sites alive in the face of fierce and widespread criticism.

The plans were slammed at a meeting of the council's housing overview and scrutiny committee.

First to be dropped was a plan to develop open space in Corringham and, shortly afterwards, housing portfolio holder Barry Johnson, under fierce scrutiny from campaigners in the gallery at a council meeting, ditched plans for 43 homes on Callan Grove in Belhus.

The focus then turned onto his own ward, Orsett, where residents were incandescent about a scheme which would have seen their homes torn down for a new development. The scheme included private – as well as council houses and residents called a public meeting (broadcast live by Thurrock Nub News)to hold Cllr Johnson to account.

Cllr John's ward colleague and fellow cabinet member Cllr Sue Little was so upset about the scheme she voted against it in cabinet, saying it was more important to represent her residents' needs than the scheme. Soon after it was announced she had left the cabinet!

A few days later, after consulting council tenants but not private home owners, Cllr Johnson dropped the Orsett scheme too.

And today (Wednesday, 3 June) two more of the proposed developments have been scrapped.

They are the projected schemes for 26 homes on an existing grassed area adjacent to Garron Lane and Humber Ave in Belhus Belhus and digging up another open space off Derry aveneue, South Ockendon, to create 14 homes.

Confirming the two schemes had been struck off the list this evening, Cllr Johnson said: "I can confirm that Thurrock Council will no longer explore the possibility of developing housing on Derry Avenue and the Humber Avenue/Garron Lane sites.

"I have worked with and listened to the local community to fully understand their needs and concerns. In response to important feedback, we have removed both sites as possible locations for development.

"We have exciting plans for the future of housing in Thurrock and intend to deliver up to 500 new council homes for our residents and will continue to source possible sites."