SUPPORTERS of Thurrock Hammers speedway team have been heartened by comments at a meeting of the borough's full council when their campaign to bring the sport back to the borough received acknowledgement from senior councillors.

The Hammers' home track at the Arena Essex Raceway has been closed since the sale of the property, for housing development, in 2018.

The campaigners said: "Thurrock Council policies require replacement facilities to be established where sporting facilities are to be lost as a result of development and we have been pressing the council to apply these policies to ensure that new speedway facilities are established as a condition of any planning permission for the Arena Essex site for more than a year.

"We are indebted on this occasion to Cllr John Kent who, having taken the time and interest to meet (virtually of course) with Mark Sexton and Brian Connolly before Christmas asked Cllr Mark Coxshall, the portfolio holder for regeneration and strategic planning, about the status of the planning application for the Arena Essex site submitted by its current owner London Strategic Land (LSL) in November of 2018.

"We are encouraged by Cllr Coxshall's answers and the wish expressed that 'the sooner the Thurrock Hammers get back the better'."

Cllr Kent had asked Cllr Coxshall: "When does the portfolio holder expect planning application 18/1671/FUL in respect of the land at Arena Essex to be determined?"

And the response was: "The application was submitted in November 2018 and during 2019 the statutory consultees confirmed they had no objections, with the exception of Highways England who required transport modelling to be undertaken.

"We will consult with Highways England and hopefully they will lift their objection and I understand the planning committee will determine the application by the summer of this year."

Cllr Kent pressed the issue, saying: "The portfolio holder will be more than aware that as a result of the change of ownership of the land there the Lakeside Hammers speedway club have lost their home. Will he undertake to push for the Hammers to be rehomed within the borough as part of this application?"

Cllr Coxshall responded by saying: "The local planning team and I have met with Thurrock Hammers on numerous occasions over the last few years to encourage them to get involved with preparation of the new local plan and look for new opportunities for a new venue in Thurrock and if the application of Arena Essex is successful I really do hope they find a new venue.

"I want them to stay in Thurrock and I'm hoping we can make sure they do stay here. The sooner Thurrock Hammers can get back the better."

There were also optimistic comments during the meeting about the campaign for Grays Athletic football club to get a ground back in the town.

Cllr John Allen also questioned Cllr Watkins and said he welcomed the improved sport opportunities and asked "If this was the time for the council to offer Grays Athletic the opportunity to continue their great work with youngsters by getting a home back in Grays.

Cllr Watkins stated work and conversations were being undertaken with Grays Athletic about them getting back to their rightful home and there were plans in the Active Place Strategy and aspirations to move forward in 2021.