News in Thurrock

A PLAN has been submitted to Thurrock Council to demolish an existing bungalow and build two two-story homes in its place.

The application has been put in for the development on the site of the bungalow known as Cosy on Church Road in Bulphan.

A PLAN has been submitted to Thurrock Council by the Intergen power company, which runs a small generating station at Coryton, to create a battery electricity storage site on adjacent land.

Intergen has previously wanted to use the site to create another generating operation but would now like to use the area for a storage station.

The proposed project includes an array of ground-mounted solar panels and it is projected it would run for 40 years.

FOR the past 17 years, with the exception of last year's Covid-caused cancellation, it has been my joy and privilege as a local journalist to attend the annual Thameside Theatre pantomime.

Today, if the worst case scenario comes to pass, I may have seen my last.

TILBURY'S Christmas lights have been switched on and though the event was downsized from its usual evening of festivities there were still plenty of smiles about.

The annual event, which usually features a carol concert with performances by local schools, a funfair and other events was downgraded by the organisers because of concerns over rising levels of Covid.

PROGRESS on the redevelopment of Stanford rail station has been delayed to allow prospective contractors to resubmit their bids.

Planning permission for the phase one build at the station, which has been mired in controversy and delay for several years, was granted in July and in late September councillors were told 'work to progress the major redevelopment of Stanford-le-Hope railway station is now moving at pace'.

THE week ahead will bring an opportunity for residents in South Ockendon to have their say on plans for their areas.

South Ockendon has been identified by Thurrock Council as one of the growth areas in its Local Plan and drop-in events, designed specifically for South Ockendon, will be taking place next week.

FOLLOWING a failed bid to persuade Thurrock Council's planning committee to block the authority's plans to cut parking spaces on a busy local street as it creates a new entrance to a building, a leading borough councillor has warned of consequences the local community will suffer because of the decision and other plans by the council.

Thurrock Nub News reported on Thursday (2 December) from the planning committee on the decision to approve a new entrance to the Alf Lowne Scout Centre on Richmond Road in Grays.

A THURROCK councillor has launched an online petition calling on the authority to protect the job of a member of staff who he describes as a 'star asset'.

Cllr Gary Byrne, who represents the Homesteads ward in Stanford-le-Hope says council restructuring threatens the livelihood of popular local street cleaner 'Patrick' and he says the authority will be missing a trick if he is not allowed to continue serving the town.

THE return of live theatre to the region in recent months has been capped in Basildon by the opening of this year's pantomime – and Beauty and the Beast being staged at the town's Towngate Theatre certainly makes up for the lost time.

As ever at the Towngate, the show's star is ever-popular Simon Fielding who not only takes centre stage but he produces, directs and arranges the music for the sumptuous show.