Outline planning application submitted for Port of Tilbury expansion

Growth plans have been unveiled by the Port of Tilbury’s owners, Forth Ports, to further expand the Thames-based port and industrial complex with its submission of an outline planning application to Thurrock Council to redevelop a brownfield site located immediately adjacent to Tilbury2 (T2).

The 100-acre Tilbury3 (T3) site, as part of the Thames Freeport ,will benefit from tax incentives designed to bring investment, trade and jobs to the area. In addition to Tilbury, Thames Freeport includes DP World London Gateway and Ford’s Dagenham plant. It is expected to draw £4.5 billion of new investment and create 21,000 skilled jobs.

The planning proposals for Tilbury3 expansion will support a range of activities including general industrial storage, warehousing and processing; a construction material and aggregate terminal; container handling and storage; and vehicle storage.

The brownfield site is part of the old Tilbury Power Station and will make use of the ports existing links to the strategic highway network and rail freight network.

If approved by Thurrock Council, the Port of Tilbury will submit a detailed planning application and will provide the layout, scale and appearance information in further detail, as well as building on the current environmental impact assessment submitted with the outline consent application.

Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports Group, said, “This is an exciting time for the Port of Tilbury as we submit our plans for Tilbury3 which form part of our growth investment strategy to expand our operations in support of our customer’s growth markets in renewable power, recycling and logistics. T3 will sustain existing roles and create many new jobs; contribute to the local economy; and future proof the Port of Tilbury in supporting the economies of Greater London and the South East.”

Martin Whiteley, CEO of Thames Freeport said, “The Port of Tilbury is a central economic site in the Thames Freeport and its plans to expand Tilbury3 will boost growth and create new good value jobs for local people. The new development will further support the Thames Freeport ambition to attract international investment and enable regeneration of local communities.”

The proposed delivery of Tilbury3 would be phased, with works starting in 2026 with a target of being fully operational by 2030.