Thurrock Council has accepted a petition to safeguard Blackshots playing field from development plans.
Thurrock: The council has accepted a petition to protect a playing field in Grays. This field is near the Blackshots tower blocks. Residents are concerned about plans to build homes on this green space.
The petition urges the council to reconsider its development plans. They want to build 258 new homes by demolishing the existing 11-storey blocks. However, this requires using part of the King George V playing field.
In October, former councillor Joy Redsell presented a petition with 2,300 signatures. Over 1,700 signatures have been verified. Since 1,500 signatures are needed for a council debate, it was officially presented on Wednesday.
Mike Bilton, representing residents, stated that the field is vital for the community. He emphasized that many locals oppose building houses on the field. They appreciate the need for better housing but want to keep the public space.
Conservative councillor Ben Maney mentioned that the council isn’t bound by any agreements. He noted that reducing the number of new homes could still allow the project to proceed.
Labour councillor Michael Fletcher expressed concern about building on parks. He warned that if one park is developed, others could be at risk too. He believes the petition reflects strong community feelings about protecting local parks.
Councillor Lee Watson, responsible for good growth, said a review will explore all options. She promised to engage with residents throughout the development process. However, she couldn’t guarantee that the park area wouldn’t be built on.
