Grays campaigners consider legal action over new green belt homes

Campaigners consider legal action over new homes Image source, Press Association Image caption, Thurrock Council approved 54 homes on green belt land in Grays By Naomi Greenaway Local Democracy reporter Published 27 October 2026 Campaigners are considering legal action after plans for 54 homes on green belt land were approved. Thurrock Council's planning committee voted in favour of the development off Blackshots Lane in Grays, Essex, on 13 October.

Planning officers argued the site would tackle housing shortages and met new national rules relating to grey belt land - which are areas of green belt land the government once described as "poor quality and ugly" . A petition opposing the development attracted 1,400 signatures and the Thurrock Residents Association and Blackshots Residents Objection Group say they are considering pursuing a judicial review. "Many discrepancies have been ignored and not actioned," a spokesperson for the groups claimed.

Campaigners said they were also awaiting a response from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman over a complaint concerning what they described as an "unfair consultation", the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported . Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service Image caption, The homes have been approved for land off Blackshots Lane in Grays The residents raised further concerns over reported errors in planning documents, including one that referred to a scheme for 70 homes and Brentwood Borough Council.

And they highlighted the removal of a condition that required a certain living room floor height to reduce the risk of flooding. Residents said their petition opposing the development attracted more than 1,400 signatures, but the council only recorded 300 as valid signatures from Thurrock residents. Developers say 27 of the homes will be classed as affordable. Thurrock Council has been approached for comment. Do you have a story suggestion for Essex?

Contact us below. Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds , Facebook , external , Instagram , external and X , external . Related topics Grays Thurrock Council Stories like this Residents invited to shape 22,000-homes plan Published 6 October Residents invited to shape 18,000-homes plan Published 16 September Council backs legal action over homes plan Published 14 September Related internet links Thurrock Council