The Thurrock Council Planning Committee was scheduled to meet on 9 September 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for residential development, sports facilities, and employment units. The committee was also scheduled to discuss planning appeals.

Planning Application for Land at 22 and to the rear of 18-28 Fairview Avenue

The Planning Committee was scheduled to continue its discussion of outline planning permission for a residential development of eight units at Land at 22 and to the rear of 18-28 Fairview Avenue. All matters were to be reserved except layout and access.

The committee had previously considered this application at meetings on 8 July 2025 and 12 August 2025, but deferred a decision. At the July meeting, councillors were minded to refuse the application, raising concerns about:

• The width of the proposed access and its impact on vehicle safety and adjacent properties.
• Amenity impacts on residential occupiers due to the proposed layout.
• Biodiversity and ecological impacts on wildlife.

According to the report pack, this updated report was to address the reasons for refusal formulated by the committee in July, and also provide additional information following reconsultation with the Landscape and Ecology Advisor.

Planning Application for Belhus Park Golf and Country Park

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for Belhus Park Golf and Country Park for the demolition of the existing driving range structures and fencing. The application also included a proposal for replacement sports use comprising two full-size artificial grass pitches and storage facilities, a sports pavilion, spectator areas, new fencing, sports lighting, a community garden, footpaths, cycle, disabled and EV parking, a recreation area to include trim trail and play equipment, biodiversity areas and landscaping.

The application was being presented as an offset against planning application 24/00332/FUL at the former Fireman's Sports and Social Club, which contains sports playing pitches and a bowls green which are still protected by the National Planning Policy Framework.

The report pack noted that there is a deficit of artificial grass pitches in the borough and Belhus Park is identified in policy CSTP9 as a Sports and Wellbeing Hub. It also noted that while the site is in the Green Belt the proposal is for sports and recreation which is classed as appropriate development in the Green Belt.

Planning Application for Sports Ground and Former Fireman's Club

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for the Sports Ground and Former Fireman's Club for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and redevelopment of the site to provide 43,640 sqm employment development (flexible B2/B8 use with ancillary B1 office); provision of new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian access routes; staff and HGV parking and associated infrastructure.

The site is located within the Green Belt and a small part is brownfield. It benefits from immediate access to the strategic road network. The proposal includes green infrastructure, ecological enhancements, and off-site biodiversity net gain at RSPB Rainham Marshes.

The report pack noted that the application site was formerly used as a private sports ground by the London Fire Brigade, accommodating several grass football pitches and a bowling green, but the site has not been in active sports use since approximately 2015 and has since fallen into disrepair.

The report pack also noted that Sport England supported the scheme subject to a Section 106 agreement to secure off-site mitigation at Belhus Park, a bowls contribution and a Grampian-style condition[^2].

Planning Application for Thurrock Football Club

The Planning Committee was scheduled to discuss an application to vary condition 2 (approved plans condition) of planning permission ref 22/01672/FUL for Thurrock Football Club to allow for the re-positioning of the PDI centre building, and revisions to the car park.

The report pack noted that the application had been called in by Councillors because of a reduction in community benefit from previously approved plan (i.e. removal of the proposed boardwalk – now reinstated), and development within an area of flood risk.

Planning Appeals

The Planning Committee was scheduled to note a report providing information with regards to planning appeal performance.

The report pack included details of appeals lodged and decisions received.

Appeals lodged included:

• Application No: 25/00029/FUL, 1 Oak Road, Grays Essex RM17 6JX
• Application No: 25/00447/HHA, 22 Medler Road, Grays Essex RM17 6TU
• Application No: 25/00460/HHA, 15 Bromley, Grays, Essex RM17 6LE
• Application No: 24/00823/DVOB, Lawns Court, Thomas Bata Avenue, East Tilbury, Essex, RM18 8FQ

Appeal decisions included:

• Application No: 24/01330/HHA, 74 Laburnum Drive, Corringham, SS17 7QF - Appeal Dismissed
• Application No: 24/00643/HHA, Tanga Inglefield Road, Fobbing, Thurrock SS17 9HW - Appeal Dismissed
• Application No: 24/00378/FUL, Land on the West side of Annabell Avenue, Orsett RM16 3BY - Appeal Allowed
• Application No: 24/00429/CLEUD, Greenwood, High Road, Fobbing, Essex, SS17 9HN - Appeal Allowed
• Application No: 24/00730/PAGF, Brewers Farm, Brentwood Road, Orsett, Essex - Appeal Dismissed