Restoration plan approved at former Ockendon landfill site

PLANS to restore a former landfill site and create a country park have been backed by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

At a meeting on Monday November 17 the Development Corporation planning committee backed the scheme.

At the previous meeting they wanted the applicant, Rural Arisings, to come up with improved plans for transport and to speed up their timescale if they are to get the green light to begin operations.

The site is situated on land off Arisdale Avenue, South Ockendon which has previously been used to dump heavy metals and asbestos.

Rural Arising director, Rodney Chartres said “Doing nothing is not an option” and that if given the backing Rural Arisings could “create a country park at zero cost to the local community”.

The site has already been identified as high risk because of its level of contamination.

The firm say they will top the existing site with waste material and then topsoil over a ten year period, turning it into a country park The proposals includes the use of a screening and crushing plant in connection with the processing of materials for the restoration works. The proposed restoration would involve the importation of 1.67 million cubic metres of material.

Concerns that the proposed increase in two-way HGV traffic would adversely affect highway safety along Daiglen Drive were eased by making HGV movements “one way” through Daiglen Drive and Arisdale Avenue.

Movements leaving the site will go through West Road and South Road meaning there is no two-way lorry movements through Daiglen Drive.