Homes developers' big offer to the community (From Thurrock Gazette)

Homes developers' big offer to the community

7:30am Friday 8th February 2013 in News

DEVELOPERS behind controversial plans to build 500 homes on a sports and social club site have unveiled more than £5million of improvements for the borough.

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, planners Metropolis revealed its blueprint for the London Fire Brigade Sports and Social Club site, in Aveley.

It also premiered details of a legal agreement which would see them provide road improvements, five adult and four junior football pitches at Belhus Park, a sports hall for special needs school Tree Tops and a new community centre for Aveley as part of the deal.

The scheme also includes a new bowls green, clubhouse and park within the state.

If approved, Thurrock Council can make developers pay for improvements to the local area, but only up to a certain amount.

Nigel Bennett, a partner at Metropolis, said it is prepared to offer the borough double the financial commitment that is required of them.

He said: “We are not doing this because the council has told us, we are doing it proactively.

“We are not getting rid of the green character, it has got more green space than the surrounding estates.

“The new sports hall at Tree Tops will benefit kids that come from all over the borough.”

Mr Bennett said the investment would be for the whole community.

He added: “It is a special bespoke sports and community package – it is well over and above what we are required to do. Everybody benefits.”

The plans are for 354 houses – 252 three-bedroom, 55 two-bedroom and 47 four-bedroom properties.

But Alan Field, chairman of the Aveley Village Community Forum, said residents living in the area were against any building on green land.

He said: “As a forum, we object to any building on greenfield land within the green belt.

“However, should the scheme go ahead against our wishes, we would want to make sure the funding is kept within the community, rather than spent elsewhere.”