Thurrock includes Grays, Tilbury, and Stanford-le-Hope. About 71.2% of the borough is Green Belt, framing urban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for riverside towns, industrial heritage, and historic streets, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year Thurrock decided 671 applications which is well below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 82% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 69% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Thurrock performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 71.2% of Thurrock is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Grays and Tilbury restricts expansion to preserve countryside and prevent urban sprawl along the Thames corridor.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
The tidal Thames runs the full length of the borough and large areas of Thurrock, including significant development sites, lie within Flood Zone 3, requiring sequential and exception testing.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
Thurrock includes Grays, Tilbury, and Stanford-le-Hope. About 71.2% of the borough is Green Belt, framing urban edges and protecting surrounding villages. Known for riverside towns, industrial heritage, and historic streets, planning focuses on residential, commercial, and conversion projects.
In the last year Thurrock decided 671 applications which is well below the national average of 980. The approval rate was 82% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 69% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated July 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Thurrock performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 71.2% of Thurrock is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt around Grays and Tilbury restricts expansion to preserve countryside and prevent urban sprawl along the Thames corridor.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
The tidal Thames runs the full length of the borough and large areas of Thurrock, including significant development sites, lie within Flood Zone 3, requiring sequential and exception testing.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
