Doubts continued to be raised over Purfleet regeneration plans

DOUBTS have been expressed by Thurrock Council’s regeneration boss regarding massive plans for the regeneration of Purfleet.

As previously reported in YT, the last few years have seen massive plans for Purfleet’s regeneration being discussed.

The plans included a film, television and media village. It will be the largest facility of its kind in Europe, covering 600,000 square feet, and the first purpose-built studio complex in the UK in 50 years.

Employing around 2,000 people, the studios will host some of the largest production companies in the world, alongside post-production, multimedia and video gaming firms.

The town centre was also supposed to provide: around 2,500 new homes, local shopsfacilities, including a primary school, health centre, supermarket, upgraded rail station and leisure open access to the River Thames

A series of consultations were undertaken in Purfleet. We were told that the planning applications were supposed to be coming to the Thurrock Council planning committee in late 2016.

Two months ago, we asked how things were progressing. A Thurrock Council spokesperson said: “Despite the Development Agreement giving a further 12 months to submit the planning application, Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited – the council’s development partner – is getting on with this complex and very significant regeneration project.

“Initial planning documents were received by the council in December 2016. Further documents, including a full environmental impact assessment, are expected shortly.

“On-site works will commence once planning approval is granted. It is expected to go to planning committee later this year”.

But there was a distinct sense of unease on Wednesday night when the former leader of Thurrock Council, cllr John Kent asked the portfolio holder, cllr Mark Coxshall whether he was satisfied with the progress being made.

The answer was a distinctive “No” and he went on to explain why detailing what he described as a “lack of engagement with key stakeholders.

He also made reference too the mooted film and television studios and expressed concern that similar plans were being promoted by the mayor of London, just a few miles away in Barking and Dagenham.

Cllr Kent asked a second question and asked whether a plan to put a new Thames Barrier in Purfleet may have “muddied the waters”.

YT will be contacting the Urban Analytics for a response.