THURROCK Council is planning to take the Planning Inspectorate to court after it overturned the council's decision to dismiss an application for a traveller site in Corringham.

Interim Chief Executive David Bull has confirmed the action and said the inspectorate has ignored local opinion to allow the site, in Manor View, Southend Road, a temporary stay of five years.

Mr Bull said: “I’m really disappointed the Planning Inspectorate seems to want to ignore local opinion, whether that’s councillors in committee or people living nearby and affected by these developments.”

The application was for a change of use for a temporary period of five years, to create a four-pitch gypsy and traveller residential site and was initially refused by the council planning committee.

This week the inspectorate also overturned a council decision to allow a five pitch site in Malvern Road, Little Thurrock, and earlier this year overturned a decision for a mobile home in Parkgate Road, Corringham.

Mr Bull added: “In recent weeks we have seen three similar appeals allowed overturning our local planning committee decisions.

“We have agreed that if counsel believes there is a fair chance of success, we should seek a judicial review in the High Court.

“The initial response suggests we could succeed in the Manor View case where there is some urgency needed if we are to act.

“We had to act today and so I gave the go-ahead.”

Mr Bull added counsel will continue to look at the Little Thurrock and Corringham cases to see if there is a fair chance of winning in court.