External refurbishment changes at Arthur Toft House George Crooks House And Lionel Oxley House, Grays
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Thurrock Planning Committee on 24 Feb 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought changes to approved refurbishment plans and materials across three blocks to meet Building Regulations on fire performance.
“This is a Thurrock Council s 73 condition variation planning application seeking planning permission for the variation of condition nos 2 (Approved Plans) and 3 (Materials) of planning permission ref 20/00617/TBC [Replacement of the external wall coverings, replacement of windows, replacement of communal entrance canopies, installation of new external lighting and installation of new roof guardrails] at Arthur Toft House, George Crooks House and Lionel Oxley House to…”
“PROPOSAL: Application for the variation of condition nos 2 (Approved Plans) and 3 (Materials) of planning permission ref. 20/00617/TBC [Replacement of the external wall coverings, replacement of windows, replacement of communal entrance canopies, installation of new external lighting and installation of new roof guardrails at Arthur Toft House, George Crooks House and Lionel Oxley House, Grays.] to reflect an amended design necessary to meet Building Regulations regarding…”
Officer report
The site and buildings
The site contains three broadly identical 15-storey tower blocks on land south of New Road.
“The application site is a largely triangular area of land to the on the southern side of New Road, bordered by Exmouth Road to the west, Argent Street to the south, Bridge Road to the east, and New Road and the railway line to the north.”
“The site comprises three, broadly identical, 15-storey tower blocks, namely Arthur Toft House, George Crooks House and Lionel Oxley House.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Building Control considered the works compliant in principle subject to certification; the Environment Agency and Network Rail made no comments.
“The works as described in the variation of condition application are currently being assessed for Building Control approval under separate Building Regulations submission. The works as described comply in principle subject to final commissioning certification.”
“Comments awaited at time of drafting report.”
Officer report
Public representations
The application received one representation, submitted as an objection but treated as a list of queries for the Housing Department to answer.
“The application was advertised via individual neighbour letter, press notice and a site notice was erected nearby. One representation has been received. Although this was submitted under the title of an objection, it comprised a list of queries and so was passed onto the Housing Department to respond.”
Officer report
Committee vote and decision
Members voted nine in favour, none against and none abstaining, approving authority to grant planning permission.
“That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT planning permission for the development subject to those reasons set out in section 16 of the report.”
“For (9): Councillors Fletcher, Sisterson, Cherry, Green, Heath, Jones, Kelly, J Maney, Shinnick Against (0): Abstain (0):”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“The Committee noted that the following changes had been proposed, applicable to all blocks: 1.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Thurrock Planning Committee minutes, 24 February 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 24 February 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- 9 for, 0 against
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Thurrock committee decisions →
Source: Plota analysis of the minutes.
This committee's year
36 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.