Cllr Val Morris-Cook, speaking on Tuesday (30 April), said: “We worked closely with the receivers and Family Mosaic trying to ensure this eyesore could be developed properly and quickly.

“The longer the eyesore remained, the harder it would be to redevelop.”

Construction of the 140-home scheme – primarily of flats, plus a doctor’s surgery – stopped nearly two years ago after the developer, Howard Homes, went into liquidation.

The scheme benefits from a high grant award from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to Family Mosaic Housing Association for 59 homes for social rent on the site.

The council has been in discussions with the Receiver, Allsop, and Family Mosaic for nearly a year to try and find a way forward, but at the end of 2012 Allsop was allowed to seek tenders the site – this included an agreement with Family Mosaic for completion of the social housing on the site.

Closing date for bids was 18 April and Family Mosaic decided to bid for the entire site so the council agreed not to bid but, if Family Mosaic were successful, to help them develop the site in a re-designed scheme which would include 37 houses and a mix of low cost home ownership and affordable rent in addition to the social rented units.

Cllr Morris-Cook said: “I was very disappointed when Family Mosaic were told their bid had not been successful, Allsop had accepted the highest tender. In addition the Receiver has not disclosed what the successful bid was or who the successful bidder was.

“On top of that, Family Mosaic have not been approached by the successful tenderer to discuss either the re-starting of work or the completion of the social housing – and that’s something we are chasing hard.”

She added: “The council decided not to bid, but to work with Family Mosaic. While we couldn’t use public money for a speculative bid, our appraisals for the site showed the Family Mosaic bid was fair based on a realistic assessment of building-out the site in the current market.

“Sadly it is not possible to give an indication of when the successful bidder will develop out the site, however – as building has started – the current planning consent and conditions will remain.

“I am concerned the successful bidder hasn’t approached Family Mosaic and we will continue to discuss the situation with them while making every effort to contact the successful bidder.

“We have also asked the HCA to continue to reserve the funding.”

The staff took up position at the front of Sainsburys in Chafford Hundred last Saturday.

The collection was the culmination of a week of activities by the dedicated and hardworking Foodbank team.

But along the cycle lanes of Chafford Hundred, residents and naturalists believe that Thurrock Council have taken things to extremes.

Director of Birdbrain Uk, David Darrell-Lambert believes that the ‘scorched earth’ policy of the Be Smart team has destroyed hundreds of different forms of habitat and decimated a delicate eco-system.

David spoke to the council and was told that the action was taken in response to anti-social behaviour.

YT spoke to David on Saffron Road, Chafford Hundred.

David and other residents are in discussion with their councillors, cllrs Tuned Ojetola and Charlie Key as to what can be done.

NEARLY a year since the venture started and on Saturday 6th October the final product was revealed. The event that was meant to start at 2pm at the Chafford Nature Park was forced to start early due to high demand. In addition to buying the cook book you could also buy samples of the cakes from the recipe collection (after trying Renee’s Chocolate Cake I can’t wait to have a go myself); various homemade jams and raffle tickets.

With the sun shining, more and more families were making their way to the visitors centre and getting introduced to some of the delights the cook book has to offer. Everything was receiving a very positive reaction, especially as this is the first thing the community has created (and all for the Essex Wildlife Trust, who will decide what project to invest in soon).

Speaking to the author herself, Ann Hart Billingham, she was incredibly happy with the response and support she’s had from the community, as a lot of people have helped make this book possible. After seeing the success of the Chafford Hundred Community Cook Book and enjoying the whole process of creating it (gathering the recipes; choosing a layout; proof reading and publishing etc), Ann has developed a taste for it and will definitely take on another project. I was pleased I managed to quickly speak to her as so many people would come up to congratulate her and ask her questions about her book (it was great to see how interested everyone was in what the community had created).

The samples that were there were a good insight into what you could make with the cook book. The book itself is delightful with several different sections to help piece together the perfect meal. I love the touch of having a kids section with easy recipes and fun food related activities. In addition to food for humans there are also pieces in there for bird feed. In addition to Renee’s Chocolate Cake there are many other recipes that caught my eye from Mum’s Mince Dinner and Traditional Irish Boxty to Moroccan Inspired Cous Cous and Sour Cream and Cheese Scones.

There is something in it for all the family. If you were unable to make the book launch, you will still be able to purchase it from the Chafford Gorge’s Nature Park and when it obtains an ISBN you can even buy it in stores. It was a fantastic reception to a fantastic book which Ann and the community should be proud of.

But not just any old houses! Cllr Val Morris-Cook, portfolio holder for housing, said: “Changes to the way the government claws back cash from the Housing Revenue Account means that we can now start building homes again.

“Next week we will be officially opening the new homes at Oxwich Close in Corringham. They are specially designed to be energy efficient, Secure by Design, and to meet the national Quality Design Standard as well as several of the Build for Life criteria. This reaches Level 4 in the code for sustainable housing.

“I want our future new homes to reach level five where-ever possible.”

Cllr Morris-Cook added: “There are very nearly 3,000 people on our waiting list and at last we can start doing something new to help them.

“I want the council to take the lead, but to work with developers so we don’t create estates where all the homes are the same. I want council houses and council flats alongside other homes owned by independent private and social landlords and — most importantly — new opportunities for owner-occupiers, especially first-time buyers standing.

“Two hundred homes a year doesn’t sound much when placed against a 3,000 strong waiting list, but that’s just our contribution, our seeding of the market, our showing enough confidence to get developers interested.

“We all know the private housing market has stalled, not just here but across the country and we are looking at ways to get the engine going again.

“The site referred to in the report — Howard Road on Chafford Hundred near Sainsbury’s — gives us the chance to buy and complete the scheme. It is currently half built and a blot on the landscape which is only falling into disrepair.

“It is for 140 units, a third 1 bedroomed flats, and only 16 houses of which 56 per cent was always earmarked as affordable. This is seen as a sensible for the area and a developer contribution for education facilities is part of the permission.”

She said: “This report is just a start. It sets out how we see the road ahead and what has to be done, but those of you who know me know I’m not a patient person. I want to see action now and I will!”

Ann wanted to raise money to help the Essex Wildlife Centre in Drake Road. She also wanted to re-ignite her culinary skills so Ann started to ask friends for different recipies. When the idea of the book, came aboutl she wanted to see if she could get to a hundred. As you can see from the headline, Ann broke through that barrier, with ease.

YT went down to the centre to find out more about the book.

There is a special afternoon for the book on Saturday October 6th at 2pm. The location is the Essex Wildlife Centre in Drake Road.

In the petition submitted to Thurrock Council, residents leader, Deborah Hance states:

The repeated flooding of homes and garages in the lower half of Catalina Avenue has caused numerous families great expense, distress and inconvenience. The whole road is potentially affected through increased insurance and utilities costs and action needs to be taken to ensure the road does not flood in future.

“This has been an issue on several occasions since the development of the road by Bellway homes in 1997.

“Pumping stations built to carry water to the Treacle Mine roundabout no longer seem to be effective in times of heavy rainfall, as experienced on July 8th, 2012. Flooding on the roundabout itself compounds the problem as rain washes back down the slope rather than draining away.

“The residents of Catalina would like Thurrock Council to investigate this problem and take action to prevent further damage to homes and the street.”

James Moran-Jones has been missing from his foster home in Chafford Hundred since Saturday afternoon (July 21st).

It is believed that is trying to reach his mother and/or aunt in the Waltham Forest area.

James is white and of medium build. On the day he went missing he was wearing a black Superman t-shirt, union jack logo hoodie, cream-coloured chino trousers and blue trainers.

Officers are asking anyone who may have seen James to contact the Forest Gate Missing Persons Unit on 020 7275 5768; or Missing People on 0500 700 700.

The Chafford Gorge’s Nature Park is thought to have been around in different forms for 200,000 years. If you want to hear how it happened for yourself then check out the Dinosaurs of the Gorge event on the 29th September which will include fun activities for your children. If you don’t want to take part then just pop into the visitors centre and ask whatever questions you may have. It isn’t just the history of the Nature Park that is fascinating but the story of it’s unique geology too.

The Warren Gorge is the biggest in the Nature Park which also features the visitors centre looking out over it. Here you can see a variety of birds, bugs and beautiful flowers (such as common spotted orchids and pyramidal orchids). In addition to these, here you can also spot grass snakes and other reptiles. At the Lion Gorge (named after the extraction company that had the quarry there) you can find a large lake with crystal clear water which is the habitat to a range of different fish (all large in population) which include Rud and Bream. Not only is the Lion Gorge host to a community led fishing club, but bats as well!

So far four species of bats have been recorded there. On the 3rd and 24th August there will be a bat walk which is fun for all the family. If after going to the Warren Gorge you want to see more of the outstanding orchids, head to Grays Gorge which has so far seen nine species of orchid grow there. Orchids aren’t the only flora that you can spot there. You can also see a diverse selection of wildflowers!

Chafford Gorge’s Nature Park is part of the Essex Wildlife Trust. The trust is a charity that was established in 1959, the roles they perform are varied and hugely beneficial. They are also always looking for volunteers, so if you want to be a part of what they do to protect Nature Parks like this one (and the incredible things you can find there) then sign up today! To get a taste of what that’s like, volunteer for the Chafford Gorge, I have and there’s so much you can do there which you may not expect!

These Gorges have so much to offer and are perfect for a family day out (as well as a tranquil place to go walking). Before taking a leisurely stroll out into the beautiful grounds, stop off at the visitors centre. At the visitors centre you are welcomed by friendly staff that are more than willing to help and educate you on what you can find. Inside there is also a gift shop and on weekends you can even have lunch on the decking overlooking the sights of Warren Gorge.

Stuck for ideas on what to do with your children this summer? Head down to the Chafford Gorge’s Nature Park and take part in some of the activities that they have to offer! Click the link below to check it all out! With something like this on your doorstep who needs to go abroad for family fun?

http://www.essexwt.org.uk/eventsactivities/chafford_gorges_visitor_centre_events/

John Eggleton, 41, from Hawkins Drive, Chafford Hundred, was tragically killed in a road crash on the morning of Wednesday, July 11, 2012.

John was a dearly loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to everyone that knew him.

John was a welder by trade, and his life revolved around his family and his work.

All the family members and friends will greatly miss John very much.

The family have not made any arrangements, at this stage, regarding John’s funeral.

There was plenty of traditional summer fayre fun to be had, including coconut shy and hook a duck, and other stalls selling handmade jewellery, bags and other accessories. Kids had a great time bouncing on the inflatables, splatting the rat and
shooting penalties.

Live performances included a display from AA Dance, plus live music from local bands
Tall Dark Friend, Paper City, Pure and headline act, singer and songwriter Jakob Deist, and there were some fantastic prizes to be won in the colouring competition and raffle.

All sorts of food and drink were available, with cake and sweet stalls. The Spur Steak & Grill team were hot on the barbie with their sizzling hot dogs, burgers, ribs and wings, donating all profits to Warren PTFA (Fundraising).

Said Warren Primary School head, Mrs Pritchard, “I’m delighted to announce that we raised a fantastic £3,739.09. It was a lovely community event and a great opportunity for us to raise funds, so, on behalf of the whole school, I’d like to thank everyone who helped put on this brilliant day, especially the PTFA, Spur Steak & Grill and our prize donors, and all who came along to support us.”

Said David Maich, Director of Spur UK, “As a local business we believe it’s all about building lasting relationships with the local community. We had a great day and are really happy to support Warren Primary School with their fundraising events.”

Crews were called to flooding affecting 20 properties in Catalina Avenue.

The rain water was approximately three foot deep.

Anglian Water was in attendance pumping out water.

Crews assisted residents with moving there possessions and furniture to a dry place.

Crews dealt with the incident by 12:42hrs.

Elsewhere in the borough, the Treacle Mine roundabout was flooded and a number of streets had a deluge of water cascading down their roads.