The Chair advised Members that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration was present to contribute to both this item and item 7: Tilbury Master Planning.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth introduced the report which reviewed the progress already achieved and highlighted opportunities within Grays which prompted the outlined approach proposed for a new masterplan.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration emphasised that there had been no major changes to the masterplan which had been agreed at Full Council under the previous Administration.  This update was simply to refresh and bring the masterplan back to the forefront of people’s minds to ensure the positive momentum was not lost.

The Chair sought confirmation that the State Cinema would still be renovated by JD Wetherspoon.  It was confirmed that a planning application was expected in the summer.

Councillor Kelly asked whether it would be the entire building or merely a part which would be renovated.  The whole building would be renovated, though obviously some areas would not be open to the public and would be used for back of house purposes.  There were currently talks with English Heritage as how best to use the stage area, but there was confidence since JD Wetherspoon had converted a number of historical buildings previously.  The Chair welcomed the restoration of the State given its current state of disrepair.

Councillor Gerrish welcomed the refresh.  He highlighted the major issue of transport links, particularly around 2-way working in the town centre.  He also asked whether the shopping centre and adjoining multi-storey car park were being explored.  The Cabinet Member for Regeneration advised that these issues needed to be considered moving forward.  With regards to transport issues and cultural opportunities, there was the offering of an entertainment centre and the currently under-utilised car park would have to be assessed.  The masterplan would allow developers to see what the Council intended for the regeneration of Grays. The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth interjected that the whole town centre, particularly Crown House and the multi-storey, should be assessed to see if they could be made into more attractive landmarks.  The shopping centre itself was, at present, very low-scale and there was scope to build upwards.

The Chair enquired as to future plans for the Thameside Theatre. The Cabinet Member for Regeneration assured the Committee that this fell into the category of cultural and civic activities and was considered within the masterplan.  The plan under the previous Administration had been to relocate onto the shorefront and it was agreed that this should not change.  The plan for the regeneration of much of Thurrock involved opening up to face towards the Thames, with waterways and cycle ways.  These long-term aims had not changed.

Councillor Piccolo noted that within the shopping precinct ‘Savers’ had upsized.  This was a positive sign as businesses would not locate to a bigger store if they did not have faith that there was business to sustain it.

Councillor Smith added that there needed to be a major review of the road network within Grays, particularly around choking points and the pollution in the air.

RESOLVED:

That Planning, Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee comment on the proposed approach to updating the existing Masterplan for Grays set out in the report.