Lakeside and West Thurrock
Our vision for Lakeside and West Thurrock sees a reinvigorated
Lakeside retail centre, a major residential site at South Stifford
and improved green spaces and access.
Lakeside is a jewel in Thurrock’s crown: One of Europe’s largest
shopping centres with over 30 million visitors a year. Well
connected with 11.3 million people within a 70 minute drive, it is
already a flourishing retail destination. With major retailers
including House of Fraser, Ikea and Debenhams,
restaurants and a nine screen cinema, Lakeside attracts half a
million visitors every week.
We plan to substantially enhance the quality of the Lakeside
experience, making it a premier shopping destination. Our plans for
Lakeside include:
- improving and greening the overall look and feel with new
landscaping and connecting it to the surrounding retail and leisure
areas;
- expanding the retail and leisure offer with new shops,
restaurants and other facilities and;
- significantly improving parking and transport round the site:
putting a futuristic transport system in place, to link the
individual zones and encourage pedestrian rather than car movement
on site and improving signage.
South Stifford is a largely residential area between Grays,
Lakeside and Chafford Hundred, which lacks a clearly defined centre
and has limited facilities. Here our plans focus on creating a
better-defined community, exploiting the potential of the Thames
riverside with more attractive residential areas, linked open
spaces and facilities, including modern business units. We plan a
large residential area on the Thames, which will include a
riverfront park and promenade including cafes and restaurants. This
will stimulate economic growth as new residents, more money and
activity comes into the area. We will also improve transport links
(including cycle lanes), and make sure green areas are connected to
ensure they are accessible.
We are also planning ‘green corridors’ across West Thurrock.
These are strips of continuous green land which can be used by
walkers and create protected wildlife habitats.