A WAR of words has broken out after a councillor accused MP Rebecca Harris of not caring about Canvey.

Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, made the comments during a full council meeting, where Castle Point’s local plan was discussed.

Castle Point Council faces two planning inquiries over plans for large developments at Jotmans and Glebelands, in Benfleet.

Some councillors have criticised the Tory administration for its handling of the draft plan after a meeting organised by MP Rebecca Harris, with planning minister Brandon Lewis, which did not include any opposition councillors.

Mr Blackwell said: “No Canvey councillors went to this meeting and it gives the impression to people the MP is only interested in saving the green belt on the mainland and it doesn’t go down well with the people of Canvey.”

Mrs Harris hit back, saying: “This is sheer political slur, which I think most Canvey residents will see through.

“The council leadership requested the meeting so the minister could reassure council officers that if they did their job diligently they would know they wouldn’t need to use any green belt in the borough. He also told them they were running out of time.

“Having failed to get me out of my job at the election, I suggest Mr Blackwell buries his political hatchet and concentrates on serving his residents.”

The council has been constructing a New Local Plan since 2012 and is considering howmuch new housing the borough will need over the next 15 years and where it should be built.

Uncertainty over protecting green belt land has led to delays and a task and finish group is expected to report its findings on the draft plan and public consultation by December, with the next public meeting taking place on August 26.

Colin Riley, leader of the council, told full council brownfield sites and council assets could all be considered for future development in a bid to save the borough’s green belt land.

He added: “The task and finish group must conclude to report back to December council for submission to the inspector. It really is important we bring this forward.

“We had a very positive meeting with planning minister Brandon Lewis where he assured us evidence- based constraints will fully allow us to protect our green belt sites.

“At the same time, he challenged us to bring forward all our brownfield sites, including council owned assets, first, to concentrate on smaller sites across the borough to support our local needs.

“Previously-developed green belt sites must be considered before any of our green field sites.

The public consultation has been against green belt development.

Over 90 per cent is a critical constraint, that’s what the minister said to us.

“Infrastructure support from the Government and Essex County Council is imperative to all future development.”