PLANS for up to 32,000 new homes took a step closer last night in a special meeting of Thurrock Council.
After a week of confusion when the ruling Thurrock Tories appeared to be contradicting the advice of their own senior council officers, the matter came before the council on Tuesday night.
All Conservative councillors voted to take the draft proposals forward as did all Labour councillors apart from former leader, cllr Oliver Gerrish, who voted against.
All Thurrock Independent councillors abstained.
Film of Tuesday nights proceedings are below.
The lower Thames crossing will open up a lot of land around orsett for development.