Spotlight on Thurrock: A collaborative approach to house building

Thurrock Residential Developers’ Partnership (TRDP) hosted an event on the future benefits to the borough that sustainable housing growth unlocks – including infrastructure improvements, skills development and increased job opportunities.

Last night’s event, in collaboration with South Essex College, is the first of a number planned by TRDP to bring together different members of the community from across Thurrock.

Chaired by Ray Houghton of BDW Homes, Spotlight on Thurrock featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including:

• Jen Craft, Member of Parliament for Thurrock

• Stuart Rimmer, Interim Director of Skills and Employment, Thames Freeport

• Frances Moffett-Kouadio, Strategic Investment Director, Thames Estuary Growth Board

• Councillor Watson, Cabinet Member for Good Growth, Thurrock Council

• Jayne Sheehan, Vice Group CEO Innovation and Employment Engagement, South Essex Colleges Group

Discussions centred on sustainable housing growth, the role of infrastructure plays in strengthening communities, and the importance of upskilling the local workforce to create vital job opportunities.

The event marks a significant step toward meaningful collaboration, with Thurrock poised to become a thriving, modern borough – meeting the needs of its residents now and in the future. 

TRDP continues to collaborate with public and private sector partners to develop an evidence-based approach to tackling the challenges of housing growth. A recent survey of 500 Thurrock residents revealed over half believe there are insufficient local job opportunities, while 55% reported access to quality housing remains a significant barrier.

Ray Houghton, Head of Planning at BDW Eastern Counties, said: “Together, we are tackling today’s challenges and shaping a sustainable future for Thurrock. By working closely with schools, businesses, and local leaders, we can ensure homes are built in the right places, at the right time.

“Thurrock’s housing needs have not always been fully addressed, which is why this partnership is so important. Strengthening our infrastructure, job market, and housing quality will secure a better future for the community for generations to come.”

Jen Craft MP said: “Thurrock has huge potential to make the most of growth in our area. 

Unlocking this potential means creating sustainable development, with investment in infrastructure to meet the needs of local communities alongside new housing. Past developments have presented challenges, but now we have an opportunity to get it right for our area.

By focusing on housing, infrastructure, and economic growth together, we can create new jobs and ensure affordable, sustainable homes are accessible to more people locally."

Brad Brooks, College Principal at Thurrock College, South Essex Colleges Group, said: “South Essex Colleges Group is the heart of community transformation.  We firmly believe that we play an integral role in raising the aspirations of the local communities that we serve.  We recognise that there is a correlation between suitable housing and attainment in education.  Affordable housing can have a positive impact on staff recruitment, student success and economic prosperity.  Our communities are at the heart of our curriculum design: we understand the skills gaps and we work with employers local and national to ensure we are meeting the market demands.”

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About TRDP

The Thurrock Residential Developers’ Partnership is a collective group of housebuilders, residential developers and landowners. It was established in 2022 to elevate Thurrock as an enterprising location for jobs and homes. Its purpose is to promote the potential for significant economic growth, enhanced infrastructure and placemaking within the borough, facilitated and underpinned by the need to build new high quality, environmentally sustainable homes and communities.

The Partnership works with public and private sector partners in Thurrock to understand and establish an evidence base for how housing growth. As a collective, the Partnership does not promote, discuss with partners, or seek to influence decisions on any specific sites that may be considered for development in Thurrock. Its purpose is to be a forum for advancing the wider economic and social benefits that essential housing growth in the borough will bring, and how it will ensure a thriving future for Thurrock and its residents.