THE campaign to stop Thurrock Council's plans to close or sell off the Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre continues to gain momentum – bolstered by news that the council has acknowledged the facility is an 'Asset of Community Value' after pressure from borough's Yacht Club.

That means if the council follows through on its intention to dispose of the site, as part of a fire sale of assets as the cash-strapped authority attempts to rebalance its financial future, community organisations must be given the right to bid.

In July members of the council's children's services overview and scrutiny committee called on the council to rethink its decision about Grangewaters.

And opposition to the disposal olan continues to grow. Among local organisations speaking up against the proposal is Thurrock Yacht Club.

It has contrasted the council's ambitious plans to regenerate Grays riverfront with a number of recreational facilities including the possibility of a new jetty, with the reality as it sees the current situation.

A statement from the club says: "We urge Thurrock Council to reconsider this decision as Grangewaters will play an essential role in developing recreation on the Thames.

"At the same time as this decision was reached, Grays was awarded £19.9m from the government's Town Fund initiative to support a plan to regenerate the waterfront, and we understand that recreation and leisure sit at the heart of this plan.

"The Thames is a fantastic asset for sailing and other forms of recreation but it is unforgiving for novices. Deep mud, strong tides, and commercial shipping movements all mean that some experience and confidence are required to enjoy the river safely.

"Our club has worked with Grangewaters in recent years to introduce young Thurrock people to sailing under our Sail Thurrock programme. Grangewaters is the only sheltered water suited to introductory sailing in our area.

"Stubbers in Upminster, which is operated on a commercial basis has recently ceased all sailing activities and evicted the two sailing clubs that operated there. Therefore Grangewaters is now an essential community asset for sailing and watersports not just in Thurrock but in our neighbouring boroughs as well.

"We have therefore taken the action of formally requesting the council to list Grangewaters as an Asset of Community Value, which would allow options for it to remain in community hands should the decision be to proceed with the sale.

"However we sincerely hope it won't come to that - without Grangewaters there is no route to enjoying recreation on the Thames. We hope the Council will recognise this and keep Grangewaters running for the community and successful regeneration of the Grays waterfront."

And alongside the pressure brought to bear by the Yacht Club, other campaigners have launched a petition calling on the council to change its stance.

The petition, which can be viewed via this link calls on the council to: "Reverse the arbitrary decision to release Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre from its assets list."

It adds: "Grangewaters is a year-round outdoor education centre set in Thurrock's countryside. Covering more than 70 acres, it has natural woodland, open grassland, 2 lakes, activity areas and accommodation.

"Grangewaters is an essential asset for outdoor education including, climbing, abseiling, archery, sailing, kayaking, canoeing in fact over 30 activities are available.

"Grangewaters is an essential community asset enjoyed not just by Thurrock's residents, school's, youth and community groups but by our neighbouring boroughs and further afield."