CONTROVERSIAL plans to create a new housing estate on green belt in Benfleet could be turned down next week.

RedrowHomes submitted proposals at the end of last year to build 178 homes on land between Felstead Road, Catherine Road, Downer Road, Rhoda Road and Bowers Road.

The proposed development, called King John’s Wood, would include a village green, a small park, three other public open spaces, a wildlife pond and the reopening of private woodland to the public.

The site has been earmarked for development as part of Castle Point’s five-year housing strategy, which sets out where development is invited.

However, the development of the 21-acre site has been deemed “inappropriate” ahead of next week’s Development Control meeting and has been recommended for refusal.

The council report, created by officers, said good design and layout had been sacrificed as the plans are too focused on creating the largest number of dwellings posible on the site.

Many residents have come together to object the plans.

More than 600 people have signed up to the Facebook page of the Friends of Bowers Road Green Belt campaign group.

Wendy Goodwin, Tory councillor for Boyce Ward, said: “Residents are not happy about it. They feel like it’s taking away the green belt and it certainly is not a development which I support.

“It is an area I know well as a ward councillor. I have spoken to residents and they want it to remain the way it is.

“The roads around this area are unmade and residents do not want this to change Many people moved to the area because of the way it is.

“People do not want the development.”

If approved, two equestrian businesses with stables, a builder’s yard and well as several homes would be demolished to make way for the new estate.

Mrs Goodwin added: “I really do hope it will get refused, but we just cannot assume. The developers will also be at the meeting and will be able to talk too. ”

RedrowHomes said yesterday it would not to comment until after the development meeting, next Tuesday at 7.30pm, at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.