THURROCK Council’s Cabinet will hear plans to adopt a mixed approach to Housing Development Delivery to ensure much-needed new infrastructure and homes are built for the borough’s residents.
The increasing population of the borough requires 20,600 new homes by 2031, the highest of any local authority in the sub-region. In the last 12 months, the council has handed over 82 new council homes to residents who have lived in the borough for more than five years in Chadwell St Mary and Grays with a further 35 properties set to complete in Tilbury later this year and it is already working with the private sector to bring forward sites across the borough.
Cllr Luke Spillman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “This new approach will help us provide the right homes and infrastructure for our residents. The development of new homes not only provides safe and affordable places to live but also creates opportunities through local job creation, education and training initiatives, and other wider community benefits.
“Despite the current challenges, we have handed over the keys to a total of 82 brand new council homes and are on track to deliver 35 apartments designed specifically to meet the needs of our older residents in Tilbury. Everyone should have access to a good quality home and we are committed to exploring new and innovative ways to unlock housing delivery and build better homes for our residents, including reviewing council owned assets which can be repurposed in this way.”
Cllr Mark Coxshall, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Strategic Planning and External Relationships added: “Providing the right infrastructure and good quality, sustainable and affordable housing is key to the wider growth across Thurrock. It enables our residents to live healthy and happy lives and means that there are local people available to take up the new employment opportunities created by exciting opportunities. Thames Freeport is just one example that will create more than 25,000 direct jobs on our doorstep and exciting training opportunities for residents who live, work, learn and play in Thurrock.”
