AS the scaffolding boards have gone up to block of public access to a memorial garden and work begins to demolish buildings in the heart of Grays, the two sides in a controversial debate over the future of Grays have expressed their views.

Despite intense local opposition – and losing a vote in the council chamber when a majority opposed the scheme – the Conservative-led ruling group on Thurrock Council is pressing ahead with a project budgeted to cost £10 million to demolish buildings and build an extension to the current civic offices on top of a World War Two memorial garden.

The council insists its scheme, which will eventually mean the demolition of half of the civic offices which will be replaced by flats, is a viable and cost-effective part of the regeneration of Grays town centre.

To say opinions vary on the scheme would be an understatement, encapsulated today by differing press releases.

Opposition to the project has been led by the local Seabrooke Residents Association who today issued the following release, in partnership with Labour ward councillors.

It reads: "For over a year the people of Seabrooke Rise have asked to meet with the Leader of the council, the portfolio holder for regeneration and the local MP. Every time, we have been refused with excuse after excuse.

"Mulberry Square, our memorial garden, has been destroyed for self-gain and the benches hidden away like they're an embarrassment - benches that commemorate the bravery of local people in war-time Britain.

"A half-empty Civic Offices now blocks the path to the memorial garden beloved by local people. There is still no planning permission for the proposed flats, yet elderly residents have to walk past a dark row of derelict formerly thriving businesses to gain access to the Town Centre.

"The Tory leadership of the Council have said that some people are for the new building. We challenge them to actually ask the people who live in Grays - they wouldn't like the answer, that's for sure.

"Boris Johnson said we need to listen to the people. It seems to have fallen on deaf-ears at Thurrock Council!"

However, within a couple of hours of that release, Thurrock Council's communication department issued the following statement, with a CGI image of how they think the new development will look: "Ambitious plans to regenerate Grays town centre reached a new milestone on Monday 27 January as demolition works commenced.

"The site that is adjacent to the current civic building will make way for a new modern, energy efficient Civic Centre with facilities for the entire local community to enjoy including a public café, a Register Office with ceremonial gardens for weddings and meeting rooms for community and council use.

"The changes will also mean the oldest part of the current building can be used to build much needed new town centre homes.

"The council worked closely with businesses previously operating from these premises to agree fair compensation packages and find alternative accommodation for those that requested support, helping three of the four shops relocate to new units."

In addition Cllr Mark Coxshall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "The Civic Centre development kick-starts ambitious redevelopment plans to transform Grays stretching from the River Thames to the very heart of the town.

"The new extension to the Civic Centre will be more beneficial to residents, businesses and the community as a whole. These plans to rejuvenate Grays will enhance the customer experience, improve the high street and feature new and enhanced public spaces for community use, including a public outdoor seating area. Additionally it means that we can build 80 new homes on a brownfield site rather than in the greenbelt."

The council statement concluded by saying: "In total, £200 million in investment has already been secured for the Grays town centre transformation. This includes an underpass at Grays Station, which has received £11 million funding from the government through the Local Growth Fund. In addition, private investment is set to transform the State Cinema site and create a revitalised shopping centre, which owners NewRiver say could include a gym, a hotel and food retailer."