A FORMER gravel quarry which was then used for landfill and contains a host of dangerous materials will be restored and become part of Thurrock's designated open spaces if a plan put to Thurrock Council is approved.

The land, to the north of Stifford Road and west of Fulbrook Lane at South Ockendon was infilled with commercial, industrial and domestic waste from 1957 until 1967.

A number of investigations have been undertaken over the years, most recently in 2018, and these confirm the poor condition of the site, which is contaminated with substances including hydrocarbons, phytotoxins, asbestos and heavy metals. Currently, the site is not suitable for public access or for planting trees.

Under the application by Rural Arisings Ltd & Aveley Properties Ltd the land will be made safe by bringing in waste materials from other sites and then creating a clay cap which can be planted.

The project is estimated to take about two years and through there will be a lot of construction work, and a significant number of lorry movements to and from the site during construction, the end product has been welcomed by residents who attended consultations and presentations last year.

A planning application put to the council aims to secure permission for the construction of a new public open space and a community woodland on the site to be opened after remediation and restoration is complete.

The applicants say the site would then not only function as a new stand-alone green space, providing the residents of Fulbrook Lane and surrounding streets with an easily accessible area for outdoor recreation, but will facilitate and improve the usage and accessibility of other areas of green infrastructure within Thurrock.

They say: "These benefits are more salient as the site benefits from publicly accessible green spaces to both the north and south and has been identified on Thurrock Council's Strategic Green Grid opportunities map and is a missing piece of the desired Green Grid.

"Further illustrating this desire is that the neighbouring land immediately to the north is leased long term by Thurrock Council to the Thames Rugby Football Club, and Thurrock Council have long-preserved a four metre strip of land running parallel to the field which must be kept aside for public access in anticipation of an opportunity for the site to be assimilated into the Green Grid.

"The end use of creating a community woodland at the site also ties well into the Thames Chase Plan and the overall vision for the area."

They go on to say benefits realised from the project will include:

• The creation of a piece of green infrastructure that is publicly accessible. Public access over the land would join up Hangman's Wood, an already publicly accessible woodland that is directly opposite the site in question on the other side of Stifford Road, with Belhus Park and the Oak and Ash Plantation, and would similarly allow local walkers from the north access to the Mardyke Woods and Valley;

• The conservation and enhancement of international, national and locally important biodiversity assets, and to create new assets;

• Provide positive benefits for air quality in the West Thurrock area – an area with historically concerning levels of NOx's and particulates;

• Provide a greenspace for managing flood risk and adaption to climate change – e.g. to help mitigate flooding on Stifford Road;

• Contribute to Thames Chase's target of increasing the amount of woodland cover in the TC Community forest to 30% by 2030;

• Improve the green connections between South Ockendon and Aveley into the landscape to promote enjoyment of an area for outdoor recreation by providing public access over part of the route for the Forest circle and greenway route (planned) to allow longer distance routes and new circular routes helping increase exercise and time spent outdoors.

• Create a potential new cycle route to connect Aveley with Ockendon station, via Little Belhus Country Park.

Prior to the works commencing a management scheme for the completed site will be drawn up to ensure that, subject to agreement, the site will be managed in the long term by a responsible third party.

During the consultation process 41 people attended over two days including three local councillors, the neighbouring Thames Rugby Football Club and local residents.

The applicants say: "The project was well received with 23 people having left written comments on feedback forms on the day. One visitor tweeted 'Great News, a new woodland for Ockendon improving our environment in Thurrock' with a copy of the masterplan attached.

"Most people were relieved the site would be a woodland and not built development such as houses. Neighbours liked the idea that they would soon be able to access wider green space from the site.

"The rugby club had concerns regarding security along their western boundary adjacent to the strip of land owned by Thurrock Council which provides a potential pedestrian route to the north and some residents wanted to know what would happen to the horses (the landowner is investigating alternative sites).

"Opportunities for a fourth entrance in the north western corner were discussed but the majority of residents did not see the need for this and most were happy with the access location further south near the bus stop. The building closest to the northwest corner is also a home for vulnerable residents and it was deemed that an entrance in this area could compromise their security."

You can read the full application and make a comment here.