Grays could see up to 1,000 new homes in town centre

The infrastructure funding had come after redevelopment plans were nominated for financial backing by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

The cash will is part of the Government’s £900m Get Building Fund, created to invest in local infrastructure projects to drive economic growth in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It will go towards a plan to regenerate Thurrock's Grays Shopping Centre which SELEP said could include the creation of up to 1,000 new homes.

In a statement, the organisation said: “Grays shopping centre redevelopment forms an integral part of the wider town centre regeneration, set out in the Grays Town Centre Regeneration Framework.

"The proposed redevelopment will provide a smaller, more varied retail provision, with greater emphasis on community and leisure provision, as well as a new town square providing improved public realm and pedestrian permeability across the town centre, in line with Thurrock’s ambition for regeneration.

“The proposals will provide up to 1,000 residential units supporting the Councils housing requirement in this central, sustainable location.

“This bid is for the electrical infrastructure costs associated with that new residential provision.”

SELEP covers the local authority areas of East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock.

It successfully secured an £85million share of the £900million pot for its area - the largest allocation for any partnership area in the UK.

A further £600,000 is set to go towards developing a Transport and Logistics Institute by converting part of South Essex College’s Thurrock Campus.

The new facility will focus for logistics training for up to 100 students each year.

Meanwhile, the regeneration of the Queensway Estate in Southend received £4.3million. The project is expected to create up to 1,600 new homes in the town as well as new public green spaces and a revitalised entrance to the town from Southend’s Victoria station.