Keep GOPIC Centre Alive

Gates of Praise International is a Christian Charity operating in Grays Thurrock for the last 10 Years. We leased an abadoned and derelict yard 4 years ago which has now been renovated. We currently use it as the Administration HQ, Storage for our relief goods and meeting hall.

We applied for a change of use and the local authority rejected the use on the excuse that we have not entered into an agreement to ameliorate the traffic challenges. This was never a discussion at anytime during the application. We were asked to provide reports e.g flood risk assessment, which we did. We have made it clear that we do not constitute to this highlighted problem as we meet outside the hours the other occupants use the estate.

We have a car park for 40 cars and most of the members to site are local. The closest block of flats to the site is about 80metres away. Beneficiaries of the site and our activities include; Little Havens, Thurrock Council Social Services, Ebenezer Homes, St Lukes Hospices, NSPCC, Terrence Higgins Trust, Cancer Research UK, Tearfund, Sightsavers, Family Mosaic, Sanctuary Supported Housing, RSVP. The council has threatened us with an enforcement action which states that we are not to use the site in any connection with a charity. There is no restrictive covenant on the site. It was left vacant for a year before we moved in.

We have made it clear that we will work with the council to remove any obstacle and contribute towards the requested traffic works e.g a pedestrian crossing which has been estimated @ £10k.

We are also prepared to work with the council to find a suitable property in Grays instead of just throwing us out which seems to be the council's intention.