A DEVELOPER has revealed plans to build 1,500 new homes which will swell the size of Chadwell St Mary by 50 per cent reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Bloor Homes is seeking Thurrock Council’s support for the homes along with a new primary schools, shops, takeway, bar and healthcare facilities on green belt land to the east of Chadwell St Mary.
The scheme also includes children’s play areas, public open space, playing fields and green space.
Bloor has submitted an environmental impact assessment report for a scoping opinion from the council ahead of submitting an outline planning application.
The plan borders a proposed 830-1,000 home development to the west of Linford and East Tilbury.
Mulberry Strategic Land got the green light for that development on appeal after the plan was rejected by Thurrock’s planning committee. The developer proposed 1,000 homes if the Lower Thames Crossing was given consent as it now has, or 830 homes if the government shelved the crossing scheme.
Fraser Massey, Independent councillor for East Tilbury, is concerned urban sprawl will destroy Thurrock green belt.
He said: “Although this is for scoping opinion application, the sheer size of these plans with 1,500 homes are hot on the heels of the Lower Thames Crossing Government decision.
“If this is taken forward and approved, then it would be built out alongside the Lower Thames Crossing, pylons from Tilbury to Norwich, more than 1,000 homes already approved by the Government in Linford and East Tilbury, Tilbury3 is preparing to expand, and DP World London Gateway will shortly be adding two new berths as part of its expansion.”
Mr Massey added: “All of these together will cause complete chaos on the local road network which is already struggling. It will cause real suffering for residents in this half of the Borough who have already had so much HGV traffic and industry, landfill and quarrying over decades. Services are already stretched and more construction will put further strain upon them.
“A full planning application is likely to follow this proposal by Bloor. Sadly, residents don’t get a formal say on that but I am sure there are many people who will want to comment. Myself and local councillors, including – I hope – those in Chadwell, will be looking at ways to get local voices heard in the first instance. This is nearly all greenbelt land and when it is gone, it is gone forever.
The South Essex Housing Needs Assessment identifies a need to plan for 23,320 new homes and the government has indicated it intends to relax planning and green belt laws to provide 1.5million new homes nationally.
