Councillors will consider whether to give the go-ahead to almost 400 homes which have been recommended for approval.

Two planning applications, which represent a total of 369 homes and flats, will be discussed at a council planning meeting tonight and have been recommended for approval because they contribute to the borough’s five-year housing target.

The largest application was submitted by Bellway Homes and will bring 242 homes to land south of West Thurrock Way.

It represents the second phase of a development that is expected to create a total of 456 properties, as well as a superstore, a petrol station and a restaurant. All part of the transformation of Lakeside into a town.

Phase one was 214 homes approved by the council in August 2017.

The application for phase two will comprise of 200 flats across three and four storey blocks as well as 42 two-storey homes, which will range from two bedrooms to four.

Despite Thurrock having a severe shortage of affordable homes, there will not be any included.  This is because the developer has submitted an assessment which said this was not ‘”viable”. The NHS has also noted services operating in the area will be unable to cope with the additional growth and a contribution of £95,417 would be needed from the developer. There is also a request for £872,884 to contribute towards the expansion of nursery, primary and secondary schools.

Council officers said the plans should be approved because they will “provide a range of housing needed for this area” and financial contributions totalling £1.2million have already been secured through phase one of the development.

A second planning application is from Persimmon Homes and proposes building 127 homes on Stanford Road in Stanford-le-Hope.

It will be comprised of one, two and three bedroom houses and apartments, of which 44 will be classed as affordable housing.  The developer has also proposed they will make a financial contribution towards healthcare improvements, education and towards upgrading a footpath and installing CCTV.

In planning documents, the developer states: “The site is a recognised sustainable location, being close to the town centre of Stanford-le-Hope and the associated employment and public transport links. In addition, the harm to the character and openness is limited by the physical characteristics of the site, being sited between the edge of the settlement and major road infrastructure.”

The plans will be discussed in detail when the planning committee meet tonight at 6pm.