ARCHITECTS behind the Purfleet-on-Thames regeneration project have released new images of how they see the town looking when the £1 billion scheme is complete.

Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited (PCRL), a joint venture between mixed-use developer Urban Catalyst and Swan Housing Association, is the organisation behind the regeneration of Purfleet-on-Thames town centre in collaboration with Thurrock Council.

The new images show indicative plans for the new train station, which will be overhauled as part of the regeneration, and the entrances to the new 1,000,000 sq. ft. media village, which will include TV studios where live shows can be filmed in front of a public audience. The renditions also show some of the thousands of homes that will be built.

The media village has been something of a controversial centerpiece for the plan and the project was slammed last year by borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price who said: "I don't believe that the proposals for TV and Film studios are in any way viable. I am incredulous that Thurrock Council officers allowed for these proposals to be drawn up."

And later last year Ms Doyle-Price poured more cold water on the Purfleet scheme, saying Highways England would try to block it.

However, its supporters were buoyed last month when the government announced it was pledging £75 million to support the redevelopment as part of the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The funding will be used to provide infrastructure and plans could include replacing the level crossing with a bridge over the railway and a new health centre, river wall, drainage and other important utility infrastructure.

The green light was given to the regeneration's first phase when it got planning approval from Thurrock Council in January for 61 new high-quality family homes, a children's play area, and an orchard walk.

This phase will reinstate public access to Hollow Woods and will form part of the 2.36-hectare development which has been designed to enhance the green links to Purfleet's Conservation Area. Preliminary works are anticipated to start on site later in 2020.

As well as a new town centre complete with shops and restaurants up to 2,850 new homes will be built as well, alongside an integrated medical centre, improved transport infrastructure and a new primary school. Designs for the homes feature in the new drawings.

Sir Tim Laurence, chairman of PCRL, said: "These latest images show the scale of our ambition for Purfleet-on-Thames, from transforming the riverfront to upgrading the train station and delivering thousands of homes.

"This is on top of a new school and integrated medical centre for local residents as well as a media village that will see the town emerge as a leading creative hub capable of supporting Britain's booming film and TV industry."