A PROPOSED film and TV studio complex will no longer form part of the revived Purfleet on Thames regeneration project, Thurrock Council has confirmed reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The change is among several alterations to the long delayed scheme, which was halted in 2023 after its former development partner, Purfleet Centre Regeneration Ltd (PCRL), failed to secure sufficient private finance.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Lee Watson, cabinet member for good growth, said the latest version of the project remains “significant and ambitious”, with the potential to deliver around 2,850 new homes, including affordable housing, centred around a new town centre.
The development would also include a new railway bridge, enabling the closure of the existing level crossing, along with a redeveloped station, primary school, medical facilities and new employment space.
Ms Watson said the revised plans align with the administration’s priorities to boost housing supply and support long term regeneration.
She stressed that while the previous scheme stalled due to private sector funding issues, the new approach was “fully backed by Homes England”, which is now taking a more active role in enabling delivery.
A review of earlier designs, carried out with new preferred developer Muse Places and several consultants who previously worked on the project, concluded that some elements must change to make the scheme viable.
These include a new alignment for the proposed railway bridge, a revised location for the station and primary school, and replacing the film studio with mixed light industrial and employment space aimed at small and medium sized businesses.
The changes, Ms Watson said, would improve connectivity, reduce costs and deliver a more inclusive scheme.
Residents have expressed frustration at decades of stalled promises, a point raised by John Kent, portfolio holder for sustainability, arts, culture and heritage.
He said Purfleet had suffered “a real history of over promising and under delivering” and questioned what would ensure the scheme finally progresses.
Ms Watson said the difference this time was firm government level backing and a clearer path to unlocking funding.
Cabinet members agreed Muse Places, supported by the English Cities Fund, as the council’s preferred master developer.
Up to £450,000 from the Freeport Counterfactual Reserve will be allocated for specialist legal, financial and planning advice as negotiations begin on the full development agreement, which will return to cabinet for final approval.
