STANFORD Conservative councillor has responded to the news that a new planning application for the Stanhope Industrial Estate by Squibb demolition has been submitted.
Cllr Shane Hebb said: “Residents may have heard that a planning application has been submitted by Squibb Demolition, in the Stanhope Industrial Estate, down Wharf Road. I have been advised that this does not form part of the on-going saga which the press have ably covered in the past few years, but a new application, quite out of the blue”.
“The application notes that the applicant (Squibb Demolition) wishes to demolish the iconic water tower, to make room to construct new offices, asbestos storage, and to further reconfigure the yard in which they operate”.
“I have discussed this matter with Thurrock Council’s Planning team, and it has been commonly agreed that this matter should be brought up to the Planning Committee, for full inquiry and scrutiny. It is expected that this application will be heard at the February Planning Committee”
“The idea of, what is perhaps the most visible landmark which adorns the Stanford-le-Hope skyline so prominently from afar, being ripped down for anything like this will be met with, in my view, an unyielding resistance from the local community”.
“Businesses who are attempting to leave London will do well to remember that just as they have chosen where they work, we – the residents – chose where we live. They may only be interested in the time they are operating in Stanford, but the rest of us care about it all the time”.
“Those who commute to Stanford just don’t get us. We are proud of SS17, and we will defend it robustly and with integrity”.
“So there is no doubt, in addition to the council’s commitment to bring this to Committee, I will be employing the Council Call In process in full, to be absolutely sure that this application is heard at the Planning Committee”.
