WORK has begun on a new housing development in the centre of Grays.

Worried residents had spotted clearance work taking place on land at the corner of Dell Road.

Diggers have now been spotted and it appears developers are preparing to begin construction on the site - at the rear of the former Treetops School.

It is believed the controversial work relates to a planning application, approved back in September 2016, to build 74 homes.

The land has stood empty since 2014, when the former Treetops School was demolished. The plans, put together by planners Keepmoat, will see a range of homes built, as well as two blocks of flats.

The firm hope that the developments will “create an economically, socially, and environmentally successful environment that respects the needs of future generations”.

26 of the proposed homes are set to be affordable, with the other 48 to be placed on the market.

As well as a range of two and two and a half storey homes, there will be two and four storey flat blocks.

Concerns were raised by members of the public, and the council, about the blocks of flats overlooking nearby properties. But these were dismissed, with developers ensuring the taller flat blocks will be right in the centre of the site.