Plan for more than 2,000 homes in West Horndon approved despite objections

OUTLINE planning permission for more than 2,000 homes on farmland near West Horndon has been approved, despite objections from residents, Essex County Council and local parish representatives reports Local Democracy Reporter.

Thurrock Council’s planning committee granted outline permission for the Tillingham Hall development on Tuesday.

The 257-acre scheme, proposed by Horndon St Mary’s LLP, includes 2,100 homes — half of them affordable — along with a primary school, care home, hotel, commercial space, transport hub and extensive green infrastructure.

But the decision came after a long debate, with critics warning the plans breach long standing environmental protections, pose traffic and safety risks, and fail to align with wider strategic planning for nearby Brentwood and Basildon.

Speaking on behalf of West Horndon residents, Lesley Lewis said the development contradicts the aims of the Thames Chase Community Forest, which prohibits major new housing within its boundary.

“Approving this application would directly contradict that longstanding commitment,” she said. She also criticised what she called a “fundamentally flawed” active travel route and raised concerns over traffic impacts, particularly the proposed closure of St Mary’s Lane.

“Why should West Horndon suffer severe negative impact solely to benefit a new development?” she asked.

Essex County Council maintained its formal objection, saying it had not been given enough time to scrutinise new technical submissions.

Representative Ashley Heller warned of unresolved issues around station access, school transport links and a lack of coordination with neighbouring authorities.

“Our objection on highways grounds still stands,” he said, urging councillors to delay the decision.

Iceni Projects, speaking for the applicant, insisted outstanding issues could be addressed later through conditions and legal agreements. “Essex are not opposed to the principle,” said Leona Hannify. “The remaining concerns relate to matters of design and mitigation.”

Opponents included Ockendon councillor Russell Cherry, who called the farmland “food land” and said it should not be built on. But Labour’s Sue Shinnick said Thurrock’s housing crisis meant the borough could not stand still.

“We’ve got a housing waiting list of 7,000 people. We need places built,” she said.

Chairman Michael Fletcher told the committee any concerns could be dealt with later through extra conditions — though these were not attached before the vote and will now need to be secured at future reserved matters stages.

The committee voted to give planning officers delegated permission to impose further conditions.