The future of Shell Haven should be revealed soon, Thurrock councillors have been told.

Members of the environmental services committee were told yesterday that council officers and Shell representatives have been meeting regularly to discuss the future development of the 1,000 acre site since the September 1998 announcement that it would close.

A report to the committee said that Shell should be nominating a partner in a "joint-venture project" this month.

Five different consortia have said they are interested in using the whole site and several other groups have expressed interest in parts of the site - mainly for roll-on, roll-off ferry operations.

The committee report said the "likely way forward is a joint venture between Shell and one consortium".

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