THURROCK’S bid to build more homes for local people has received another boost with the announcement that it was successful in its bid for Housing Zone status.

The borough will be one of just 20 such areas outside London, areas which will have access to £200 million Housing Zones funding, access for developers to cheaper borrowing, simplification of the planning process – using local development orders – and having dedicated brokerage support from the government and specialist planning support.

Councillor Lynn Worrall, Thurrock’s housing portfolio holder, said: “Our bid was based upon creating partnerships with developers to unlock brownfield land that can deliver viable housing schemes.

“It is about sites which, so far, have failed to get started and which need more support or leadership from the council to move forward.”

Thurrock’s Housing Zone will include seven sites across Grays and Purfleet; some stalled such as Fiddlers Reach and Howard Road; and some currently being bought by the council, such as the VOSA site in Purfleet.

It also includes the council’s regeneration estates.

Ms Worrall added: “Thurrock’s housing team have shown over the last few years that it is ready and willing to work in new and interesting ways and this has no doubt helped our bid to succeed.

“The Housing Zone will mean a significant increase in close working with private developers and housing associations, giving them the confidence that we have everything in place as well as access to cheap money.

“This is about place-making – making Thurrock a place where standards of design are at their highest, and the council intervening if needed to make sure developments are sustainable.

“We do this and we transform the lives of local people.”

The first phase of Thurrock’s housing development is well underway and known – including the delivery of the £25 million affordable housing provision; a successful bid for additional £11½ million HRA borrowing; and the £68 million five-year programme to improve the existing housing stock.

This is in addition to the development of Gloriana, the wholly-owned housing company which is designed, not to compete with developers but to kick-start house building in key locations showing development is possible with high-quality design, standards and materials.

Housing Zone status allows the council to bring forward the next phase of its development, involving private sector land and working with private sector partners to deliver a Thames-Side towns proposals and creating high-quality, well-connected homes.