Little Thurrock, as its name suggests, is in the unitary authority of Thurrock, Essex. The neighbourhood is north of the river Thames. Thurrock is an Anglo-Saxon name meaning the “bottom of a ship” which is testament to this area’s use of the River. Little Thurrock is one of the three Thurrocks. Little Thurrock has many inter war homes such as those found on Rectory Road. Badgers Dene is a suburban area with many post-war semidetached houses. Both areas are close to several main roads such as the A1089 Road which can lead to the A13 that leads to London. As well as roads, Badgers Dene has many open natural spaces such as Grays Chalk Quarry Nature Reserve where residents can enjoy the vast natural beauty that this neighbourhood has to offer.

Badgers Dene falls within in the Grays Riverside ward, Grays is the largest town in the borough of Thurrock. Due to the 1834 Poor Law Act, Little Thurrock became part of the Orsett Union. The Orsett Union was an amalgamation of local Parishes meant to look after the poor and destitute of the area. Little Thurrock contains two wards: Rectory ward and Blackshots ward, these wards are served by four conservative Councillors.

Grays is the largest town in the Borough of Thurrock. The Queen Elizabeth II bridge (Dartford Bridge) is the most recent bridge to be opened that goes downstream across the Thames to Central London since Tower Bridge in 1894. Car drivers often complain about the Dartford crossing traffic conditions, as it is the busiest bridge in the United Kingdom.

Procter and Gamble submitted plans in the mid-2010s for the development of a large-scale biomass renewable energy plant in West Thurrock. Thurrock Council initially rejected the proposal, agreeing with locals that it presented possible public health risks, but P&G submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State, which was successful. Over 400 residents objected to the wood-burning waste plant next to the Procter and Gamble factory on Wouldham Road in a long and bitter fight. Despite the fact that they won their appeal though, the plant has not yet been developed.

In 2018, construction began on the development of a new supported housing complex in Thurrock for young people with autism. Taking place at Medina Road in Grays, the development aimed to deliver six new fully adapted standard homes for people who live with autism. The development was the first of its kind for Thurrock and also aimed to provide a 24 hour a day personalised care and support service for residents. While a multitude of agents were involved in the project, including Thurrock Council, Peabody, The Autism Action Group and the Homes and Communities Agency, in 2020 it was announced that the council would take control of the development because it did not have enough residential support services. While a completion date has not been announced, the council has stated that the project is nearing completion.

Concerning education, in early 2022 the green light was given for the development of the new Orsett Heath Academy, on land around Thurrock Rugby Club in Grays. The new eight-form secondary school will provide places for 1,200 children from Year 7 to Year 11. The South West Community Trust, which is leading the development, hopes the new main school will be open for the 2023/24 intake.