MAJOR £1billion transformational plans to regenerate Purfleet-on-Thames have taken another substantial step forward as Thurrock Council is now set to kick-start works.

Purfleet Centre Regeneration Limited, in partnership with Thurrock Council, is delivering a £1billion regeneration project that will transform Purfleet-on-Thames into a desirable riverside destination.

The legal completion means the building lease for this phase of works has been granted and the project can start to build the first 61 new homes, two new play areas and improve the Hollow Woods area.

Mark Coxshall, Cabinet member for regeneration and strategic planning, said: “This is a huge step forward for the project and residents will soon see the first bricks being laid.

“This is the initial stage of delivery for this £1billion scheme that includes a new town centre, health and education facilities, 2,850 homes for our residents and will enable us to get vital infrastructure in place for the Purfleet-on-Thames community.”

At the same time the council has also entered into a conditional agreement for lease on the wider phase one site that includes just under 1,000 further new homes, the new town centre and positions the project to deliver crucial infrastructure works.

In March 2020, the Chancellor announced £75million of funding for the development as part of the Housing Infrastructure Fund that provides £2.3billion of government grants to help regeneration in key areas across the country.

There will also be 2,850 new homes along with a new primary school, improved transport links and one of four new medical centres set to be built across the borough.

The most standout feature of the scheme is a plan for a one million square foot ‘media village’ that will include film and television studios.

Find out more about the development on the see www.ourpurfleet.com/TheVision