LABOUR’S ruling cabinet was full of praise for the proposal to move East Thurrock United football club from their present site on Rookery Hill to a new stadium on the Billet Field.
Council leader, John Kent left the room as he is president of the club and portfolio holder for central services, cllr Phil Smith also declared an interest as he is a season ticket holder.
But that still left plenty on the terraces to sing their support for the scheme.
Deputy leader, cllr Barbara Rice answered a question submitted by Stanford councillor, Shane Hebb (Cons) which questioned the value of the sale and whether there was a covenant on the land. Cllr Rice confirmed that the covenant ran out in 1980.
Councillor Andy Smith was full of praise for the proposal pointing to it as part of the regeneration mosaic along with plans for Aveley and Tilbury to build new grounds and the rest of the regeneration plans in the borough.
The project has certainly not gone without comment with many residents expressing a number of concerns.
The plans will go both to planning and to full council in the summer.
No mention of course of the concerns of local residents including friends of mine and their neighbours regarding this development but then you wouldn’t considering the editor of a local paper and “project manager”for this development is connected to ETU,
What is to stop the football club in 10 years time selling off their billet field site for housing at a massive profit? It seems many football sites are being sold off for housing in Thurrock.
Wouldn’t it be better for this field to be rented out to the football club or leased out? At least then Thurrock Council will still own the field and protect this community asset.