A LANDOWNER says he offered Thurrock Council an alternative site in 2013 for a 22-bed hospice in a countryside setting in Davy Down Park, Stifford Clays.

Last week Thurrock Council planning committee gave controverisal plans for a six-bed St Luke's Hospice and 50 executive homes on Horndon-on-the-Hill green belt the green light.

Tony Gothard, pictured, from Tilbury, said: “It’s in the middle of Thurrock, two buses go through there, and it’s in the countryside. I also wanted to build 12 lowcost houses to help people get on the housing ladder.

“The council seemed quite happy with the offer, but after a residents’ meeting in Horndon-on-the- Hill, St Lukes told me they preferred the Horndon site because it was near to their existing site.”

A council spokesman said: “The Davy Down proposal was part of the 2013 site allocation local plan consultation. We don’t know why Mr Gothard did not progress an application.”