News in Thurrock

POLICE have issued an e-fit image of a man and appealed for information about a raid on a Thurrock store.

A man went into the Co-op in Lodge Lane, Socketts Heath, Grays, shortly after 7.20pm on Saturday, 27 June and threatened members of staff with a knife.

PAEOPHILE hunter groups - who have played a part in bringing a number of men in Thurrock to court over recent years, can carry on after the decision of a Supreme Court appeal was announced.

The UK's top court delivered its verdict after considering an appeal from a man who was targeted by so-called 'paedophile hunters' who impersonate children in online chatrooms in order to expose people who they consider to be sexual predators.

THURROCK Council is bringing in extra staff to try and keep up with weekly bin collections across the borough after the impact of Covid-19 has put the service under unprecedented strain.

Over recent weeks residents in all wards across Thurrock have reported some delays in the collection of their green general waste bins and blue recycling bins. Brown garden and kitchen waste bins are currently been collected on a fortnightly basis but there have been some issues there to.

GRANGEWATERS Outdoor Education Centre will be opening its gates to visitors again after the weekend.

A TOP scientist has been appointed to help plan out the use of cars in the heart of the planned £1 billion Purfleet-on-Thames regeneration project.

Professor Trevor Davies, former director of the climatic research unit at the University of East Anglia, has been appointed as chief sustainability advisor by the development company Urban Catalyst who have been appointed to create a blueprint for the new town.

WARD councillors and residents have welcomed news that a bid to extend the hours that HGVs can use Wharf Road in Stanford-le-Hope has been rejected.

However, one councillor from the town argued in favour of the extension – which would allow additional lorries to access and leave Stanhope Industrial estate from 6am in the morning. Cllr Gary Byrne fears that not allowing the vehicles access could bring job losses.

PLANS to add more than 30 new bedrooms to houses on a new Thurrock housing development were quickly nodded through by planning councillors last night (Thursday, 16 July).

Developers Redrow returned to the planning committee for the fourth time since the original planning permission for the Shires development was granted to change the number and nature of three, four and five bedroom homes on the estate.

THURROCK Council's planning committee has stood by its decision to back a controversial housing development – even though their decision could land the authority in hot water the law and at risk of a big financial penalty.

The decision was described as borderline madness – 'kamikazi stuff' by the committee's chair.

THE chair of Thurrock Council's planning committee says he welcomes an ongoing investigation by the authority's legal and monitoring officer into claims that improper actions took place regarding a controversial planning application.

Thurrock Nub News reported earlier today (Thursday, 16 July) on the background that led to an application for 161 new homes on Thurrock Marshes being pulled from the agenda of the meeting held this evening.

Robust denial of wrongdoing but controversial Marshes planning application is deferred following allegations of improper conduct.