AN ILLEGAL lorry park in West Thurrock has been given 28 days to close after councillors ignored officers recommendations to give it a year’s grace.

The planning committee debated for over three hours on the controversial Titan Lorry Park which is owned by the Industrial Chemicals Group (ICG).

It has operated for over three year’s without permission.

The public gallery at Thursday’s meeting was packed with angry residents who were demanding to know why it had taken over three years for an enforcement notice to be considered.

Steve Cooley, from campaign group Parents Against Lorries (PAL) said: “This has been a daily blight for all residents. It is only because nearly 2000 residents signed a petition that enforcement action is even being considered.

“Enforcement action should be immediate, this company has had ample time to apply for permission, we are calling for you not to give them a year’s grace.”

The vocal audience made their feelings clear by continually applauding Mr Cooley.

Brian Pooley, who spoke on behalf of ICG said: “It doesn’t cause any disturbance to residents and is used 24 hours a day.

“We have had a continual dialogue with Thurrock Council and the Development Corporation over the last three years trying to rigorise the situation.

“An enforcement notice would be unproductive, as well as a costly public enquiry. One year is too short and will not allow sufficient time.”

Gerard Rice said to Mr Pooley he “was lost” as to how it can take a company three years to apply for planning permission.

Terry Hipsey, chairman of the committee had to stop the meeting several times because of outbursts from the public gallery.

Cllr Rice added: “A petition with nearly 2000 signatures has been relieved, why have we not taken enforcement action until now?

“The council would come down on me like a tonne of bricks if I set up an unauthorised lorry park.”

Cllr Hispey said: “There are so many residents who are not happy with the situation. I don’t like to see companies that feel they can do as they like, it makes me livid.

“I find it incredible that this report suggests we can give it a year. I am not happy with the recommendation, and we should be taking a more robust approach to this enforcement, I propose that we give them 28 days.”

This proposal was met with masses of applause from the gallery.

Phil Anderson eered on the side of caution and recommended a proposal for a four month enforcement period, instead of the one year recommended by officers.

He explained this would be the least amount of time that would incur costs and delays if an appeal was lodged by ICG.

Both proposals were voted on by the nine committee members and members agreed on cllr Hipsey’s 28 day proposal.