THURROCK Council has hit back at claims by Grays Athletic that uncertainty over the location of a new Thames crossing is delaying their proposals to return to Grays.
On Sunday afternoon (Dec 6th), Grays Ath, who moved out of the town five years ago, issued a statement on the club’s website.
It stated: "Following the latest discussion with the Council on 1 December 2015, there has been a development which will delay all major projects being included in the new local plan.
"This is entirely as a result of the Government’s consultation early next year on the planned new Lower Thames Crossing. Because of the uncertainty of where the Crossing will be sited, the Council’s plan to consult on proposed site allocations for new developments (including sport and leisure) has been deferred from early next year until October/November 2016.
"Unfortunately there is nothing the Club can do about this delay. We just have to be ready to act when the time is right.
However, Thurrock Council moved quickly to put their side of the story.
A Thurrock Council spokesperson said: "The council has been working with Grays Athletic over recent months trying to help them progress their plans and proposals and advise them of the best way forward.
"Lack of progress with bringing clear plans for a site forward remains Grays’ biggest single risk to developing a new ground.
"In the past weeks we have advised the club that the revised project plan for the Local Plan is going to Cabinet on Wednesday. It is not considered that the timescales involved in bringing the Local Plan forward will have an adverse impact on the club’s ambitions.
