Chadwell St Mary is in the Borough of Thurrock, within the ceremonial county of Essex. It is around 2 miles from Grays, and 1 mile from Tilbury. Chadwell St Mary is a classic British village, the area is reminiscent of 17th to 20th British architecture. Unlike inner city London this neighbourhood area is surrounded by some of South East England’s large open green spaces, with many outdoor sports teams playing in this area such as the local Orsett golf course.

Artefacts have been found dating to the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages – many of which can be found in the local museum in Grays! Chadwell also has history, dating back to the Roman era with a settlement near Chadwell and West Tilbury. The area was named after the old English word, Celdewella, which means ‘cold spring’ and the ‘St. Mary’ referring to the local parish. Chadwell was named in the 1086 Domesday Book. The area has been known for its fertile soil making agriculture a large industry in this area.

Chadwell was at risk during World War 2, due to its close proximity to Tilbury Docks, and has anti-aircraft batteries as a result of the war. Chadwell was one of the parishes that made the Orsett Poor Law Union in the early 19th century.

A fire occurred in a high-rise block of flats in Chadwell St Mary in June 2018, fortunately everyone survived thanks to the firefighters. However, it highlights Thurrock’s needs for fire safety standards. After World War 2 many pre-fabricated homes were constructed in the area.

Plans were submitted in 2021 to Thurrock Council for the development of 37 new homes on land in Chadwell St Mary. Some of the new homes will be flats in three storey apartment blocks, while others will be a mix of 19 three and four bedroom homes. This proposal has proven controversial as it does not include affordable housing provision, deemed ‘unviable’ following the developer’s viability assessment. In 2022, the proposal was amended to increase the desired number of dwellings in the development, including the demolition of existing dwellings on the site as well, sparking concern among residents. The proposal has also proven contentious because the site suggested for the development is currently being used as temporary housing for asylum seekers in the UK.

Also in 2022, another proposal was submitted and approved to build 75 homes on green belt land, envisioned to be composed for 57 houses and 18 flats on land adjacent to Wood View and Chadwell Road, Grays. Residents and activists in the area disapprove of the scheme because the land proposed has historically been used for livestock and grazing, and it also has old trees that locals don’t want to see felled. In more optimistic news, the council has invested quite a bit in council housing of late, with a scheme completed in Chadwell St Mary’s in 2021, as part of the council’s £32million investment in new council homes for affordable rent for people on the borough’s housing register. The Claudian Way development, which has been constructed by United Living, includes a mixture of 1 , 2 and 3-bedroom properties made up of 22 flats, 10 houses and 21 bungalows.