A £1 billion regeneration plan for Purfleet town centre has been approved by Thurrock Council.

The project will see thousands of new homes created in Purfleet and a new town centre and a media and creative industries hub established.

The plans, submitted by Purfleet Centre Regeneration Ltd (PCRL), a joint venture between Urban Catalyst and Swan Housing Association chaired by Sir Tim Laurence, were unanimously granted outline planning permission by Thurrock Council's Planning Committee and will deliver the following in the town:

• Up to 2,850 homes to be delivered alongside shops, restaurants, a medical centre and community facilities

• A new town centre with upgraded rail station and improved riverside areas and access will help transform Purfleet into a new destination 

• A new primary school 

• Brand new media village with art, film and TV studios

• New parks and leisure spaces

The scheme has the broad support of the local community who have been extensively involved in framing the masterplan and the local Community Forum were vocal at last night's committee in support of the scheme (which was recognised with a national award for Best Public Participation in 2018).

Purfleet on Thames will deliver up to 2,850 new homes alongside a new town centre with shops, restaurants and new public spaces such as a local parks and access to the new riverfront.

Also within the proposals is a 1,000,000 sq. ft. film, TV and creative industries complex which together with the other commercial uses proposed will create over 2,000 new high value jobs for local people.

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Residents of Purfleet will further benefit from an improved railway station and transport facilities, with Purfleet less than a 30-minute train ride from central London, plus a new health centre and two new schools.

Thanks to the High House Production Park, Purfleet is already emerging as a world-leading creative hub and today's approved plans will only cement the town's position. The creative industries are of increasing importance to the UK economy, contributing over £100bn annually and now a major British export.

Urban Catalyst, which specialises in complex mixed-use urban regeneration projects, was behind the successful Bermondsey Square development in London, which delivered new retail, hotel and offices alongside performing arts space and art house cinema.

Swan Housing Association is one of the largest housing providers in Essex and East London and a pioneer in modular construction, which has been embraced by the government for delivering homes faster at a higher quality. Approximately 50% of the homes at Purfleet on Thames will be built this way.

Last night's approval by the Planning Committee represents a significant milestone towards the delivery of PCRL's development proposals and is subject to agreement on detail being reached by PCRL with the Council and stakeholders.

Ken Dytor, PCRL founder and executive chairman of Urban Catalyst said: "This development will tap into the power of culture, creative industries and healthy living. The approval is the result of many years of work and has been shaped by our detailed engagement with the local community and stakeholders, who we listened carefully to in drawing up our forward-thinking social infrastructure-led proposals that promote health, education and employment."

Sir Tim Laurence, chair of PCRL said: "We are thrilled our Purfleet regeneration proposals have been approved, creating thousands of much needed homes, significant additional employment and supporting long-term growth in Thurrock. We look forward to moving onto the next phase working in partnership with Thurrock Council."

John Synnuck, Chief Executive of Swan Housing Association said: "At Swan we've spent the last 25 years helping people feel at home. Our commitment to continuing to improve the lives of the communities we work with is unwavering.

"Last night's approval of our plans for the regeneration of Purfleet reflects both our long-term relationship with Thurrock Council, which is at the heart of PCRL's delivery strategy, and our engagement with the local community. We will now all work together to create a thriving environment that provides much needed new homes and services, alongside significant employment and educational opportunities for the local community."