Thurrock Labour activists and councillors are 'building momentum' against the biomass plant, says Councillor Oliver Gerrish.

Mr Gerrish was out campaigning door-to-door with West Thurrock and South Stifford Labour councillors against the proposed West Thurrock Biomass plant.

The visits were to inform residents about the issue and also to assemble another petition for those that haven’t yet signed one.

Mr Gerrish said: “We’re really building momentum against these proposals now. The voice of local people has been pretty unanimous: we don’t want this Biomass Plant."

“I’ve said before that I think this is a cross-party issue, and I’ll continue to call on all parties to support the campaign and add their voices to opposing this.

"Despite the local by-election we have to continue the fight. It’s too important to take a break from!”

Anti-Biomass campaigner Cliff Holloway said: “When people hear about these plans, they are appalled. We have to stop the extra pollution, the extra lorries and the 24 hours a day noise that this will bring! I want to make sure that we continue to campaign against the proposals as hard as we can.”

The next major stage of the process will be the Planning Committee meeting to discuss the issue, which is now likely to take place in October.

The local councillors plan to attend and put forward a strong case against the development.