Commenting on the decision, Alistair Holl, Director of Resource Management for Cory Environmental, said: “We are very disappointed by this decision as it was against the clear recommendation of the Corporation’s Planning Department and is required for us to complete the Country Park.

“We finished waste disposal at Mucking in 2010 and now further soil is needed to complete the restoration of the site to a Country Park. We are required to complete the capping and restoration of the site in a reasonable time period in order to minimise any potential environmental impacts it may have. This decision leaves us no option but to lodge an appeal in order to protect the environment and complete the Country Park.”

Cory Environmental is required by the Environment Agency to deliver an environmentally sound, restored site to stringent specifications. This requires the use of soils to cover the site to an agreed finished landform.

Alistair added: “The first area of the Country Park has already been completed and leased to the Essex Wildlife Trust. This is due to open in the Spring of 2012 with a new Visitor Centre. By the end of 2012 we would expect to complete the restoration of around 60% of the site.”

Martin Dalton of the Yellow Advertiser took a really good photo of two lorries passing each other and just a whisker away from each other.

On Friday, YT went down to the tip and when one of the lorries left, we followed it and filmed it as it travelled down the road until it got to Linford.

One of the added hazards is the low winter sun. It has been a lovely weekend but as you drive down that road, it really hits the windscreen.

It is just something to consider and may add to the residents and councillors concerns if this matter goes to the next stage.

On Monday, residents and campaigners won another hugely significant battle as against the recommendation of their officers, members of Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation’s (DC) planning committee took heed of emotive speeches from borough councillors and voted to block plans by Mucking Tip operators Cory Environmental to increase the number of lorries dumping soil at the site.

Despite the decision, Cllr Barry Palmer has warned there may still be one last battle to fight.

“I’ve said it before, but this is only a win in a battle, the war will probably go on if Cory appeal, but it’s another step closer to ending this blight on our lives,” he said afterwards.

Cllr Palmer has been at the forefront of the fight against the tip for many years, campaigning in vain against previous extensions to the tip’s life – but his emotive arguments helped sway planners at Monday’s meeting.

He led the way in speaking against plans by Cory to keep dumping soil on the site for the next five years – arguing that nearby residents would be happy to have less lorries over a longer time – or better still, move the soil by river.

He said: “On 10 November last year this committee resolved to defer this application pending discussions regarding alternative options that would minimise impacts on the roads and residents.

“Local residents were optimistic and took comfort from this decision, genuinely believing that at last their concerns and objections were being seriously listened to.

“One must appreciate the intimidation and life-threatening dangers from speeding HGVs on inadequate road conditions that are made worse by slurried mud deposits during inclement weather.

“We have already suffered serious accidents and countless minor incidents relating to HGVs. To increase the number of lorry movements while at the same time extending the timescale for delivery would be disastrous for those residents living on, and all those brave enough to use Walton Hall Road, which is of course a primary route to St Clere’s School and Stanford-le-Hope.

“Enough is enough, and once again and true to form, Cory have failed to meet their planning obligations.

“It is Cory’s responsibility to overcome the problem and make use of alternatives and not be given the soft option requiring five years of further misery and danger to local residents.”

Alistair Holl, speaking on behalf of Cory, denied that the company had broken promises and that the company were trying to save money. Responding to accusations that Cory had “gambled and lost” he said: “Despite what you have heard this is not a financial ploy.

“There hasn’t been and never was a gamble by Cory. It is quite simply that the demand for soil is in excess of one million cubic metres and to meet the needs of the site and to meet our deadline to the standards of the environment agency we need this application.”

Members of the planning committee then debated the issue and in the end five of them voted against the application, with one abstention.

Essex Wildlife Trust lease the land from Cory Environmental Trust and it is expected that the Visitor Centre will be open for Spring 2012. There will be education events, refreshments available as well as a shop, a log burner will be inside the building in the snug area, initially, there will be 120 acres of grasslands open to the public with access via footpaths and cycle paths.

Michele Kench of EWT said “There will be fantastic views for members of the public to enjoy out across the River Thames as well as inland. This is only the beginning, in time we will be managing the whole nature park for wildlife and people, in total 845 acres”.

Independent councillor for East Tilbury, cllr John Purkiss said “I would really like to thank Tarnya Carter and Michele Kench of EWT for arranging this trip, local people are looking forward to the opening of this new centre, it will attract birdwatchers, walkers, families, something for everyone in the community”.

At a meeting of the Thurrock Council cabinet on Wednesday night, the cabinet commended the scheme which will see a dedicated team to work exclusively in the area.

If successful, other areas across the borough may be allocated small teams of multi-skilled workers.

The scheme, shaped by Conservative councillor James Halden and Labour councillor Steve Liddiard is set to run for six months starting in May next year.

The team will be provided with a council Blackberry to enhance communications, provide work updates and identify areas that need work.

Speaking from the floor, cllr Halden said: “You can’t throw money at some problems; you need to find ways around the issue.

“We need a service shaped by the community. We should look at innovation and we hope the outcome would be a team that is local, flexible and responds to people’s need.”

Cabinet member for environment, cllr Valerie Morris-Cook said the report showed clear passion to improve the service and presented good ideas.

Cllr Morris-Cook said: “We want to spend less money and at the same time be meaner and greener.

The report has been deferred until February to allow officers time to develop an implementation plan.

An example of this was East Tilbury resident, Robert Hutson who spoke to the DC planning committee on Monday.

This is what Mr Hutson said:

“After listening to the Planning Officers’ submission, it would appear that his only reason for recommendation is that there appears to be no option, despite all the conditions laid down in the previously approved applications. Quite frankly this makes a farce of Planning Control by T.G.D.C.

Thurrock Council have already stated their opposition to this application and as the Planning Authority now responsible for the enforcement of Planning Control, it is only right and proper, and daresay I mention democratic, that their wishes are respected.

To get down to brass tacks, this is about money, pure and simple. Shortly after their last approval in 2006 Cory Environmental was sold for 350 million pounds more than the owners paid for it 2 years previously. I repeat an eye watering 350 million pounds. Not even bankers can get that kind of bonus.

It is disgraceful that the Planning Officer can recommend this application in total disregard of national Planning Policy. He quite correctly states there would be a breach of Planning conditions if not completed by 31st December this year. You should be aware that any breach of Planning Conditions is a prosecutable offence.

Quite frankly none of this application makes any sense when analysed. Inert material has been available in vast quantities over the last 5 years as the neighbouring East Tilbury Quarry site has had millions of tonnes deposited there, without planning permission, and approval recently given for a vast expansion to the site after assurances of availability of inert waste.

The Planning Officer recommends approval with 36 conditions stated with reasons summarised as phasing sequence, restoration and planting operation to be completed within the timescale. In fact this statement is quite familiar being used in the last approved application, the one before that and oh! The one before that in 1985 which was for complete restoration to a country park by the year 2000.

Rejection of this application should be the only course of action.”

There is something indefatigable about the spirit of the people of East Tilbury and especially when it comes to matters which affect the heart of their community.

And perhaps there was never a better example in yesterday afternoons meeting of the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation’s planning committee over the “rock and a hard place” question of extending the life of the tipping activities of the site operators Cory at the Mucking Landfill tip.

Cory says it needs the extension because the soil needed to ‘cap’ the landfill site, where tipping stopped at the end of 2010, has not been available in enough quantity.

As well as the five years, Cory wants the maximum number of lorry movements permitted on any working day to be increased to 240 – double the current number.

It was a passionate meeting with both councillors (Barry Palmer and John Purkiss) as well as residents incensed at the implications of a further extension for Cory.

Cllr John Purkiss said” This battle has been going on for over thirty years.

“Why has this company not been stockpiling materials. Indeed, why have they not looked at other forms of transport. Bring them up on barges.”

Cllr Barry Palmer made reference to the danger on the roads and the health implications.

Representing Cory, Alastair Hall explained that the economic downturn and competition from other sites had caused a change to their plans.

He also made reference to their “Ethical observance award” by The Observer.

As the matter was being discussed by the planning committee, both residents and councillors became increasingly animated.

“How many lies?” shouted one resident. “Answer it truthfully” implored councillor John Purkiss.

Members of the committee expressed deep reservations about the application.

Chris Paveley said: “I have deep reservations about this. Let them take fifteen years but in an application that sees the roads safe.”

Will McKee urged the committee: “To defer the application in order to have further discussion.

The committee agreed unanimously.

RESIDENTS in East Tilbury are set to face more years of heavy lorries hauling material to the Mucking landfill site despite promises the site would be redeveloped in 2011.

Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation’s planning committee is being recommended to grant site operators Cory an additional five years to complete restoration work on the controversial site next Monday – after missing an official restoration deadline.

Over the past three decades the site has continually courted controversy over problems with smell and the danger to residents and the environment from trucks.

A long-term, leading critic of the site is local ward councillor Barry Palmer who, when plans for the extension were announced in June, said: “This latest application is very frustrating and devastating for the residents of East Tilbury ward and part of Stanford-le-Hope West who were looking forward to the end of tipping activities at Mucking which have brought so much blight and misery to the area from the stench, dust and flies emanating from the site’s activities and the danger, intimidation and damage by HGV movements to and from the site for 30 years.

“The access to this site is via Walton Hall Road – that was once a quiet country lane.

“Ancient hedgerows along this road fronting and listed properties have needed unsightly motorway steel bollards and barriers to protect them from the ongoing destruction.

“Enough is enough.

“I call on the Development Corporation to please recommend refusal for this latest planning application and insist Cory are held to their present permissions, sparing local people and the environment a further five years of misery.”

However, the application, which was fiercely opposed by Thurrock councillors, has taken months to bring to the Development Corporation, leaving them little room to react – though tip opponents have urged that they could drastically cut the five years being sought to complete the work.

Cory says it needs the extension because the soil needed to ‘cap’ the landfill site, where tipping stopped at the end of 2010, has not been available in enough quantity.

As well as the five years, Cory wants the maximum number of lorry movements permitted on any working day to be increased to 240 – double the current number.

Portfolio holder, cllr Val Morris-Cook (Lab) likes a challenge and working in tandem with the increasingly impressive young chair, cllr James Halden (Cons) they set to remedy the situation.

On Monday night, the committee reported back that a number of teams had been down to East Tilbury to facilitate a clean-up.

Chair James Halden said: “This has been a great example of councillors from both parties as well as officers working together for the better of the borough.

“We now plan to pilot a multi-skill team and address a concern from councillors and members of the public as well as illustrate a way of smarter thinking.”

The East Tilbury pilot will run from Mid-May to November 2012 and will involve dedicated teams, use of IT and mapping to enhance and augment the delivery of cleaning and environmental services.

Councillors did express their disappointment that the East Tilbury councillors did not involve themselves in discussions regarding the pilot.

TRUP now have a large number of bikes that can be re-used but they are still on the look-out for more bikes as well as a bicycle repair man to help.

Dave Lawrence, Operations Manager for TRUP, said: “It has been great to get the cycles in, our volunteer bike mechanics have done a great job getting over 20 ready for sale.

“We can’t wait now to see the first lot of bikes going through to people who will get some pleasure out of them.”

The perma-tanned ones had joined Yvette Fielding in filming an episode of her Ghosthunting programme.

Mark Wright, Sam Faiers, James ‘Arg’ Argent, Joey Essex, Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge joined forces with Fielding for a special edition of the spooky TV show.

During the paranormal investigation, the cast spent the night visiting the fort’s underground tunnels, a gatehouse, mess hall and aviation museum.

Deputy leader, cllr Val Morris-Cook presented a paper promoting the idea of “Multi-Skilled Action Teams”

The new system, would ensure a more efficient way of working for Be Smart officers. All officers would be expected to participate in all tasks when cleaning up an area.

At this point the two East Tilbury councillors, John Purkiss and Barry Palmer were asked to contribute to the meeting.

Both councillors contributed to a stinging attack on the work of the Be Smart team.

Cllr Purkiss said: “We can’t say we are particularly happy with the state of East Tilbury. Parts of it are filthy.

“We welcome these plans because we often see Be Smart teams sitting with three officers in a car doing nothing.

“Infact we know there hiding places such as at the back of Coalhouse Fort, Walton Hall Farm or even under the Pitsea flyover.”

A visibly irritated cllr Morris-Cook assured that these matters would be looked at.

Brazalian Royce Gracie will be at the Thurrock TSG MMA Fight School, at East Tilbury on Tuesday 19 July.

The two-hour seminar starts at 7pm. Afterwards Mr Gracie will be signing autographs and pictures.

The seminar has been arranged by Thurrock TSG sensei Neil Dixon who is selling the tickets for £50 each.

The seminar takes place at Unit 91A Thames Industrial Park, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury and to get your ticket call Neil Dixon on 07970 062702 or 07974 193405.

On Sunday, MP Stephen Metcalfe attended a service which culminated in the opening of their new car park. With funds from the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (DC) and Veoila, the church have been able to lay an ecologically sound car park.

Rev Rosemary Pritchard held a short ceremony before the ribbons were cut.