PLANS to regenerate Purfleet-on-Thames have taken another massive step forward after the Chancellor announced £75m Housing Infrastructure Funding for the development as part of his budget this week.
The Housing Infrastructure Fund provides £2.3 billion of government grants to help regeneration in key areas across the country.
Thurrock Council submitted the bid in 2018 working with their development partner Purfleet Centre Regeneration Ltd (PCRL). Together they plan to create a vibrant new Thames-side community in Purfleet-on-Thames including a new town centre with shops and restaurants, an integrated medical centre, improved transport infrastructure, a new primary school and more than 1 million square feet of film and TV production studios, 2,850 new homes. Later phases will deliver a new university campus creating a world class education facility with a focus on health and the creative arts.
The funding will be used to provide vital infrastructure including replacing the level crossing with a bridge over the railway, a new health centre, river wall, drainage and other important utility infrastructure.
Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “It is fantastic to see this project making such progress. This is another significant milestone in our £1 billion scheme to deliver new infrastructure, a new town centre, Health and education facilities and homes for our residents and will enable us to get vital infrastructure in place for this community.
“It follows planning permission being granted for the first 61 homes and a successful resident led campaign to formally rename Purfleet as Purfleet-on-Thames as this scheme begins to gather steam.
“It is yet more government regeneration funding coming to the borough. We are also bidding for up to £50 million from the government’s Town Funding for regeneration in Grays and Tilbury and for our share of the £1 billion Future High Street fund for Grays.
“This is another huge step forward for Thurrock. The announcement of this Government funding shows the confidence in us to deliver this nationally significant project that will improve a thriving community right here by the Thames in Thurrock”
