THURROCK is on its way towards reaching its goal of building 1,000 new homes, a councillor has said.

Lynn Worrall, who took over the housing brief at the council after Val Morris-Cook lost her seat in the May local elections, said the council was finalising plans for the construction of more than 500 homes in the borough.

Speaking at a meeting of the ruling cabinet, she said the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) grants would fund construction projects in Seabrooke Rise, older people’s accommodation in Calcutta Road, Tilbury and two developments in Chadwell St Mary.

She said funding has already been secured for homes to be built on Bracelet Close and Derry Avenue as well for redeveloping empty homes in the borough.

She said: “The council will be able to increase the number of affordable homes it is providing to around 400 and, together with the 130 homes proposed for development by Gloriana at the St Chad’s site in Tilbury, will be more than half way to meeting its 1,000 homes target.”