THURROCK Council has given the green light for 33 affordable homes reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The 100 per cent social housing scheme in Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon will be delivered in six blocks which will nestle among two and three-storey blocks built there in the 1950s.
The older properties have pitched roofs while the new blocks will have a flat roof design.
Speaking at a planning meeting on Thursday Lee Watson, Labour councillor for West Thurrock and Stifford, raised concerns. She said: “Why haven’t we got roofs? Why haven’t we got something in between that’s a bit more sympathetic?
“If you look at one of them, especially the one that you have the two blocks and the bit in the middle that’s just joined. It looks like Lego that’s just stuck in.
“They are 1950 blocks and now we are putting in a 2023 design. I wasn’t sure it really works.”
However, she added: “I welcome this scheme. It really is a long time coming and I think we should have more affordable schemes along their route going forward for our local people.”
Georgette Polley, Conservative councillor for Belhus and deputy chairman of the committee, said residents were in favour of the new council home scheme. She said “I know that residents like the design and have been very involved. Some of the properties there we have because of the style of building we have issues with like damp whereas I think the new buildings have been given quite a lot of attention with environmental issues so hopefully we are not rebuilding the same problems.
We can only be pleased that we are under difficult times at this council but to see another scheme where we are delivering housing for our tenants. These will be tenants on our waiting list needing to access accommodation. The scheme has had a lot of thought behind it.”
Steve Liddiard, Labour councillor for Tilbury St Chads added: “I think this is going to utilise a lot of dead, green space. It’s new. It’s modern. It’s going to be a real benefit to the area.”
The six two to four-storey blocks will be landscaped and 3 per cent of the units will be wheelchair accessible.
Thurrock Council has agreed to provide a contribution towards Secondary education of £54,223 and £10,156 towards nursery provision.
