Thurrock Approves 400 Homes on Protected Land

Thurrock Council has granted outline permission for a significant housing development on 54 acres of land designated as green belt in Corringham. The project, proposed by Mulberry Strategic Land, will see more than 400 homes constructed, alongside essential community facilities including a primary school, a care home, and a supermarket.

This decision was made despite considerable opposition, with concerns voiced by Anglian Water regarding drainage infrastructure and by councillors questioning the land's classification as "grey belt." The developer, MSL, highlighted a severe housing shortage in Thurrock, noting a substantial social housing waiting list and low recent housing completion rates, arguing these pressures outweighed the environmental objections.

Following public consultation, MSL revised its initial proposals to address traffic and road safety issues. These revisions include the incorporation of new walking and cycling routes and a low-traffic street design, aiming to mitigate some of the community's concerns about the development's impact on local infrastructure and accessibility.