Thurrock Council approved plans last night to build around 330 more homes in the borough, under a new low-cost housing scheme which has drawn national attention.

Thurrock councillors unanimously backed the plans presented by Councillor Lynn Worrall, which will see building start early next year on 333 affordable houses.

The scheme has drawn national attention for the way it is designed to enable people to get on the housing ladder.

The Guardian newspaper published an article on the scheme penned by Councillor Barbara Brownlea yesterday, asking the question, 'Is Thurrock a model council house builder?'

Working with an agency set up by the council, Gloriana, and the Homes and Community Agency, Ms Worrall said the council had secured £4.57 million to build 140 homes in Chadwell and South Ockendon, and £11.58 million of HRA borrowing to build 193 homes in Grays and Purfleet.

Councillor Worrall said that the council will continue to work with both the private sector and Gloriana to deliver the council’s promise of 1,000 new homes over five years.

Ms Worrall said: “I am sure that you will all agree that this is an exciting programme and one that provides much needed quality homes for our residents in key areas across Thurrock.

“Phase 1 is showing real progress now, with the first sites at Seabrooke Rise in Grays and the Housing Our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) housing at Derry Avenue in South Ockendon both due to start handing over homes later this year.

“A second HAPPI scheme will be at Calcutta Road in Tilbury. In total 160 homes should be completed in 2016/17.”

“Additional funding set out in the report for the second phase of the programme has already been agreed by cabinet.

"We are currently in discussions with the HCA and hopeful that further money will be secured for building more new homes."