Blackshots Updates
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We’re redeveloping the Blackshots Estate in Grays to provide better housing for residents. As part of this work, we will be demolishing its 3 tower blocks.
Visit this page to keep up to date with the latest news regarding this project.
December 2025
We are currently working closely with telecommunications suppliers to coordinate the removal of their equipment from the 3 towers; Bevan, Morrison & Keir Hardie House.
Residents should be aware that works related to the telecommunications equipment will be taking place from now through to summer 2026. These activities are part of the ongoing process with our telecoms partners and may involve periodic site access and works around the towers.
We will continue to keep residents informed and share further updates as the programme progresses. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period.
Visit this page to keep up to date and to have your say regarding the details of this project.
We’re redeveloping the Blackshots Estate in Grays to provide better housing for residents. As part of this work, we will be demolishing its 3 tower blocks.
Visit this page to keep up to date with the latest news regarding this project.
December 2025
We are currently working closely with telecommunications suppliers to coordinate the removal of their equipment from the 3 towers; Bevan, Morrison & Keir Hardie House.
Residents should be aware that works related to the telecommunications equipment will be taking place from now through to summer 2026. These activities are part of the ongoing process with our telecoms partners and may involve periodic site access and works around the towers.
We will continue to keep residents informed and share further updates as the programme progresses. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period.
Visit this page to keep up to date and to have your say regarding the details of this project.
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June 2025 - Outcome of Event
Share June 2025 - Outcome of Event on Facebook Share June 2025 - Outcome of Event on Twitter Share June 2025 - Outcome of Event on Linkedin Email June 2025 - Outcome of Event linkUnder previous proposals the three tower blocks - Keir Hardie House, Bevan House & Morrison House - were to be demolished and replaced with 258 new, modern and energy efficient homes in a series of medium-rise flat blocks and houses. To do this part of King Georges Playing Fields would be redeveloped as part of the new housing estate.
Following resident feedback, Housing Development tea have worked with external consultant Avison Young to explore alternative site options. New proposals will mean that new homes could potentially be delivered by building on Chapel Farm, leaving King George Playing Field untouched.We would like to thank residents for attending the Blackshots Alternative Sites Exhibition event on 22 May 2025, held at Thurrock Rugby Club.
Residents comments received are valuable in shaping the way forward for the redevelopment of the Blackshots estate.
Common themes recorded from the event, as well as subsequent feedback online and by email highlight comments regarding the design, location and alternative options.
"Please to see the new development"
"I like the ide of building on Chapel Farm"
"The Chapel Farm site is ideal if it stops the building of houses on Blackshots Field"
"Our main concern is amount of traffic and understanding of proposing routes to deal with traffic"
"Concerns about dust and pollution from demolition of the tower blocks"
"If you increase the number of homes, there must be in the infrastructure of roads, schools, and doctors to support"
"Regeneration is a positive way forward"
"I like the building of the flats where the old ones were"
In addition to the site options, residents were briefed on the progress for demolition. An application for the demolition of Keir Hardie House, Bevan House & Morrison House and their surrounding garages is being prepared and will be submitted to Thurrock's Planning Department in June 2025. The application will provide details on the extent of demolition, the method of demolition, site hoarding and include a Demolition Environmental Management Plan. When the application has been submitted, residents will be formally consulted as part of the planning process and can review and comment on the application via the Planning Portal.
Under previous proposals the three tower blocks - Keir Hardie House, Bevan House & Morrison House - were to be demolished and replaced with 258 new, modern and energy efficient homes in a series of medium-rise flat blocks and houses. To do this part of King Georges Playing Fields would be redeveloped as part of the new housing estate.
Following resident feedback, Housing Development tea have worked with external consultant Avison Young to explore alternative site options. New proposals will mean that new homes could potentially be delivered by building on Chapel Farm, leaving King George Playing Field untouched.We would like to thank residents for attending the Blackshots Alternative Sites Exhibition event on 22 May 2025, held at Thurrock Rugby Club.
Residents comments received are valuable in shaping the way forward for the redevelopment of the Blackshots estate.
Common themes recorded from the event, as well as subsequent feedback online and by email highlight comments regarding the design, location and alternative options.
"Please to see the new development"
"I like the ide of building on Chapel Farm"
"The Chapel Farm site is ideal if it stops the building of houses on Blackshots Field"
"Our main concern is amount of traffic and understanding of proposing routes to deal with traffic"
"Concerns about dust and pollution from demolition of the tower blocks"
"If you increase the number of homes, there must be in the infrastructure of roads, schools, and doctors to support"
"Regeneration is a positive way forward"
"I like the building of the flats where the old ones were"
In addition to the site options, residents were briefed on the progress for demolition. An application for the demolition of Keir Hardie House, Bevan House & Morrison House and their surrounding garages is being prepared and will be submitted to Thurrock's Planning Department in June 2025. The application will provide details on the extent of demolition, the method of demolition, site hoarding and include a Demolition Environmental Management Plan. When the application has been submitted, residents will be formally consulted as part of the planning process and can review and comment on the application via the Planning Portal.
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May 2025 - Resident Drop in Session
Share May 2025 - Resident Drop in Session on Facebook Share May 2025 - Resident Drop in Session on Twitter Share May 2025 - Resident Drop in Session on Linkedin Email May 2025 - Resident Drop in Session linkThurrock Council are working with Avison Young to look at potential options for the Blackshots development footprint and any alternative sites for redevelopment. The findings are currently being reviewed and we want to talk to existing residents at an early stage to inform the direction of our plans.
Resident drop-in sessionAs part of the engagement, we will be holding an in-person drop-in session. This will be an opportunity for you and your neighbours to view our plans, talk to members of our project team, and share your views:
Date: Thursday 22 May 2025
Time: 5pm - 9pm
Location: Thurrock Rugby Club, Long Lane, Grays, RM162QH
More information on the review can be found here: Thurrock Council to launch a review of site options for Blackshots redevelopment | Thurrock Council
Thurrock Council are working with Avison Young to look at potential options for the Blackshots development footprint and any alternative sites for redevelopment. The findings are currently being reviewed and we want to talk to existing residents at an early stage to inform the direction of our plans.
Resident drop-in sessionAs part of the engagement, we will be holding an in-person drop-in session. This will be an opportunity for you and your neighbours to view our plans, talk to members of our project team, and share your views:
Date: Thursday 22 May 2025
Time: 5pm - 9pm
Location: Thurrock Rugby Club, Long Lane, Grays, RM162QH
More information on the review can be found here: Thurrock Council to launch a review of site options for Blackshots redevelopment | Thurrock Council
Page last updated: 25 Mar 2026, 11:19 AM
If you live outside of the Blackshots Towers:
Documents
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Blackshots Engagement Exhibition A1 boards.pdf (4.49 MB) (pdf)
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Blackshots Event 220525 (1.67 MB) (pdf)
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Blackshots - Frequently Asked Questions (6.15 MB) (pdf)
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Plans of preferred option for consultation.pdf (1.43 MB) (pdf)
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Blackshots Residents Newsletter (2.2 MB) (pdf)
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Blackshots Newsletter (for local residents).pdf (10.2 MB) (pdf)
FAQs
- What was the consultations about?
- Who is leading this project?
- Why do we need to build new homes?
- What will happen to the residents of the three high-rise buildings?
- What will happen to the leaseholders of three high-rise buildings?
- How does this scheme fit in with the local plan project?
- What is the project timeline?
- Are these the final designs?
- Are you building a new medical centre and schools?
- How long will the new development take to complete?
- How many new homes are being built and what type will they be?
- How tall will the new buildings be?
- King Georges Field is a well-used public space, how can its loss be justified?
- How many parking spaces are allocated to the new development?
- How will parking be allocated to residents within the new development and the existing estate?
- How will you deal with the highways impact during construction?
- Will the Council plan to re-provide the tennis courts? If so, where?
- How will the additional car trips associated with the new homes impact on the local road network?
- How is the council planning to fund this project?
- Will we have an opportunity to comment on future proposals?
- What is the outcome of this consultation process?
- Will building on this land affect my house value?