Place of worship at Kids R Us, Arisdale Avenue, South Ockendon
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Thurrock Planning Committee on 10 Mar 2026.
The site and its surroundings
The commercial unit sits near industrial premises and established and newer residential development, in an area designated for secondary industrial and commercial use.
“The application site is set on the north side of Arisdale Avenue close to the junction with Araglen Drive. The site hosts a large commercial unit with a car parking area to the front accessed by an in-and-out driveway which is enclosed with fencing and gates.”
“The site is close to the former Ford Motor Company site which has been redeveloped over recent years to residential, further operational industrial units remain in proximity of the site along the northern running section of Arisdale Avenue located to the northwest. In addition, other light industrial units are present directly to the north of the application site along Arcany Road. The immediate southern side of Arisdale Avenue comprises established residential development.”
Officer report
Earlier applications and enforcement
A previous change-of-use application was refused in August 2025, while earlier enforcement cases concerned permitted operating hours and were closed.
“{Class D2} for use as children's play centre and alterations 25/00662/FUL Change of use from use class E(f) to use class F1(f) (place of worship) Refused 19.08.2025”
“18/00122/BBRCH Breach of condition planning application 09/00052/FUL permitted working hours. Breach of operating hours established – letter served advising of restriction – no further complaints- case closed. 18/00227/BBRCH Breach of condition planning application 09/00052/FUL permitted working hours. No planning breach established – case closed.”
Officer report
Residents’ concerns
Sixteen written objections cited noise, parking shortages, unsafe parking, traffic, disruption, loss of a community resource and the availability of other venues.
“- Significant traffic and increased on street parking - Increased noise levels and general disruption - Already issues with inconsiderate parking - Not a practical or necessary venue - Consider using other struggling churches - Failing children with lack of spaces for them to use - Funding page has been set up to fund the project…”
“- How will attendees be monitored to ensure this isn’t above capacity? - Established place of worship nearby - Impact on residential character of the area - Missed opportunity to meet community needs - A reduction in privacy - Parking shortfall - Not clear how the use would be managed long term - Proposal within the Transport Statement is unenforceable - Places of worship should be located in areas that do not need to compete for parking - Other venues within the Borough are…”
Officer report
Why it was withdrawn
The application was withdrawn from the committee agenda so further noise mitigation information and a draft undertaking for the highway contribution could be provided.
“The Chair advised the The Chief Planning Officer has agreed that 25/01382/FUL - Former Kids R Us, Arisdale Avenue South Ockendon was withdrawn from the 10 March 2026 Planning Committee Agenda. Members were advised that this would allow the applicant to provide further information in regard to noise mitigation, and submit the draft Unilateral undertaking to secure the highway contribution.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“Members noted that a similar application elsewhere in the Borough had been considered in recent months, which had also been recommended for refusal.”
“Some Members agreed that the site was in an unsustainable location and stated that approving the proposal would set a dangerous precedent; they therefore could not support it.”
“Members further noted that the committee had previously approved larger developments with limited access to public transport.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Thurrock Planning Committee minutes, 10 March 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 10 March 2026
- Committee decided
- Refused
- Vote
- 4 for refusal, 3 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
41 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.