Community shop, café and hub at Tilbury Community Hub, Tilbury
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Thurrock Planning Committee on 9 Jun 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought a community shop, café and hub in 15A Civic Square and part of the library, while retaining library use.
“PROPOSAL: Change of use of 15A Civic Square and part of Tilbury Library to a dual use falling under Use Classes E (a) and (b) and F2 (b) to operate as a Community Shop, Cafe and Hub, while also retaining the existing library use.”
“This planning application seeks approval for the change of use of 15A Civic Square and the adjacent existing library building to provide a community shop, hub and café whilst also retaining the library use. This development would fall under Use Classes F1 (d), F2 (b), E (a) and E (b). Internal alterations would take place, which do not require additional planning permission, and the installation of a new set of external doors sited within the principal elevation.”
Officer report
Site and surroundings
The site is a single-storey building in Civic Square, within a shopping area, surrounded by retail and residential development and located in Flood Zone 3.
“The site lies within a designated shopping area, being within the centre of Tilbury, with shopping centre and parade areas on the outskirts of the shopping area in close proximity of the application site.”
“The application site hosts a single storey building which sits as an island in Civic Square. A road network surrounds Civic Square and is accessible from all sides. Roads leading up to Civic Square are Calcutta Road to the west, Manor Road and Arkwright Road to the north, Brennan Road and London Road to the east and Kelvin Road and Newton Road to the south.”
Officer report
Earlier site history
Earlier permissions covered office use, a rear extension and conversion from an office to a breakfast, pre-school, after-school and holiday club.
“Reference Proposal Decision 87/00348/FUL Change of use to Offices Approved 95/00427/FUL Rear ground floor extension Approved 15/00098/FUL Change of use from an office to a D1 Breakfast club , Pre- school, after school and holiday club Approved…”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Highways raised no objections, Environmental Health sought controls on noisy works, Emergency Planning addressed flood evacuation, and Essex Police requested safety engagement.
“Confirmation that a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan (FWEP) is in place, if not then a FWEP must be provided which can be controlled via appropriate planning condition.”
“No objections, subject to restriction on noisy works on site. Informative recommended regarding the café being registered with Thurrock Council’s Food Team.”
Officer report
Public representations
The application was advertised by neighbour letters and a nearby site notice, but no written comments were received.
“The application was advertised via individual neighbour letter and a site notice was erected nearby. No written comments have been received.”
Officer report
Members’ discussion
Members supported the application unanimously and described it as a great project for Tilbury.
“Members were all in favour of the application and thought it was a great project and good for Tilbury.”
Minutes
The vote
The recommendation to approve subject to conditions was proposed, seconded and supported by eight members, with no votes against or abstentions.
“Recommendation A) Approve, subject to conditions.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“26/00316/TBC Tilbury Community Hub, Civic Square, Tilbury – Community Shop, Café & Hub The Committee noted that the application, submitted by Thurrock Council on behalf of the Tilbury Towns Fund, sought full permission for the change of use of No. 15A Civic Square and its extension into part of the existing Tilbury Library.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Thurrock Planning Committee minutes, 9 June 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Thurrock's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Thurrock Planning Committee
- Council
- Thurrock
- Date
- Tuesday 9 June 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- 8 for, 0 against
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Thurrock committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
50 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 4 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.