WARD councillors in Grays have issued a warning to Thurrock Council they will not stand by and see a repeat of events that led to a huge wave of public protest over a controversial housing scheme.

Earlier this week Thurrock Nub News exclusively reported on plans by the council to relaunch its hopes of building 80 homes on the Belmont allotments site.

A previous scheme ended in acrimony and public protest and many residents were looking for the council to come back with a smaller scheme with les impact on the local community.

However, it seems the authority is determined to press ahead with the same numbers and is offering hundreds of thousands of pounds in contracts for designers and planning experts to create a new scheme.

But local Grays Riverside ward councillors Jane Pothecary, Tony Fish and Martin Kerin have warned they will be remaining vigilant and working hard to ensure existing residents' concern are fully recognised and the new plans don't ride roughshod over their expectations – particularly over the Parker Road open space.

A joint statement issued by the Labour trio says: "Following reports of a scheme to build on the Belmont Allotments site, we have vowed to fight off any attempt to use Parker Road Recreational Ground as part of the scheme.

"We still remember the last time a scheme like this appeared - and it involved concreting over the beloved Parker Road Recreational Ground. We are hereby warning Tory-run Thurrock Council that any attempt to do this again will be fought off - just like last time!"

Parker Road resident Jodie Stammers added: "Parker Road Park is precious to those of us who live in the Belmont Neighbourhood of Grays and beyond.

"So many of us voted for this lovely green space to be given 'Green Space Designation' in the recent consultation. We expect our park to be safe and will fight tooth and nail if there is any attempt to build on it."