Grays is a chartered market town in Essex at the banks of the river Thames. It is the administrative centre of Thurrock and an important neighbourhood centre for surrounding communities. The centre mainly caters for the budget end of the market and has been affected by the nearby Lakeside Shopping Centre which offers a wealth of comparison retail and leisure facilities. Grays, however, lies in the Thames Gateway, and with excellent train links into central London, has the potential to benefit from substantial residential growth in the future.
Urban Initiatives Studio have been appointed by Thurrock Council, to prepare a Framework that will set a deliverable vision for the town centre, guide its regeneration and coordinate projects. The framework will also inform policies within the emerging Local Plan and provide an inset plan for this document. We are supported by Montagu Evans providing property advice and SKM on transport planning. The framework will evolve through intensive engagement with stakeholders and the wider public, including one-to-one meetings, workshops and a public consultation event.