A DECISION on whether to grant outline planning permission for more than 2,000 homes on Green Belt land between Bulphan and West Horndon has been put on hold reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Thurrock Council’s planning committee voted to defer the application for a site visit after concerns were raised about the scale and impact of the proposed development at Tillingham Hall.
The scheme, submitted by Horndon St Marys LLP and managed by Iceni Projects, seeks to transform 257 acres into a mixed-use community featuring 2,100 homes—half of which would be affordable—alongside a primary school, hotel, care home, commercial space, and community facilities. Plans also include a transport hub, upgrades to West Horndon Station, and new pedestrian and cycle routes.
Opposition was led by West Horndon Parish Council, with councillor Lesley Lewis warning the project would “directly conflict with the core purpose of Green Belt policy.” She said: “This land plays a vital role in preventing urban sprawl and safeguarding the rural character of West Horndon. Approval would set a harmful precedent, eroding long-established protections and encouraging further incremental development. Local schools, healthcare, drainage and utilities are already under pressure.”
Essex County Council also raised transport concerns. Ashley Heller, head of transport future communities, said: “This scale of development should provide alternatives to car travel. West Horndon station is the biggest asset, but the plans squander the opportunity to improve access and create a sense of place around the station.”
Defending the scheme, Leona Hannify of Iceni Projects said: “Thurrock is ambitious and unafraid of growth, provided it is well-planned and infrastructure-led. West Horndon has immense untapped potential, with strong strategic connections and an underutilised railway station at its heart.”
Labour councillor Steve Liddiard highlighted the borough’s housing crisis, noting: “There are 673 families in temporary accommodation costing £1 million a month and another 7,000 families on the waiting list. I can’t wait any longer for this to be relieved.”
Committee chairman Michael Fletcher acknowledged the urgent need for housing but said: “The principle is great, but is the location right? I don’t believe we’re in a position to agree.”
Following the meeting, Independent councillor Neil Speight criticised the delay, accusing the council of “kowtowing to big developers” and warned Bulphan residents risk being “swamped” by overdevelopment.
I live just outside West Horndon in St Marys Lane
and the road is just a country lane with big turns. If a lorry comes down it nothing can get by in
the opposite direction. The proposition is ludicrous.
We need these places unspoiled for all to enjoy
and I’am sure the village should remain as it is
for future generations, it is the character of
England that is at stake.
We need to protect our heritage or the essence
of who we are will disappear.
Is it necessary to allow the greedy developers
to make big profits and ruin our heritage.
There are many sites for developers to utilise
that do not spoil the heritage of 1000 years
of our history.
I live in West Horndon, we recognise that the land around our village is viewed with envious eyes by developers, Iceni Projects, have no regard for locals or environmental impacts, but simply profit and land grab. Clearly demonstrated by Iceni Projects representative at the recent planning meeting.
The understand Iceni Projects, want to develop the land and produce a development four times bigger than the current village, and that’s only the beginning.
But why has Iceni Projects, decided to hurt and damage West Horndon, by cutting off the main road connection to West Horndon, the closing of the bridge to St Mary’s Lane, and no access to the facilities proposed in the development, the doctors in West Horndon will be closed, the shops will close because the through route will be closed, and to get to local areas west of West Horndon, will incur a 2-mile detour?
To get the road traffic figures to close the bridge, Iceni Projects’s contractor set to do the traffic monitoring, used in accurate data to feed to Highways and support their planning application. I can provide details.
I appeal to Iceni Projects, to review the traffic management plan and maintain the access to St Mary’s Lane, allow the buses to run through the village and not be directed only into the development, and maintain or give easy access to the new facilities.