PLANS to build 275 homes on Canvey green belt are being opposed by councillors.

It was standing room only in Canvey Town Council’s offices as the planning committee heard strong opposition to plans to build on land east of Canvey Road, known as the Dutch Village.

Such was the turnout at the meeting, chairman Peter Greig suggested postponing the development’s public forum until next week and holding it at the Paddocks Community Centre.

But the debate went ahead and Essex firm Persimmon Home’s plans were met with unanimous opposition.

Residents and councillors levelled several criticisms at the Essex firm, including the land being at risk of flooding and the island’s roads being unable to cope with the number of new houses.

Although the plans have yet to be formally decided by Castle Point Council’s planning committee, who have the final say, councillor Martin Tucker said the meeting was important.

Mr Tucker, the town council’s deputy chairman, said: “It was pleasing to see the turnout at the meeting, and it’s important this got heard quickly.

“What’s worrying is the outline plan was heard before the local plan has been accepted.

Should the outline plans be accepted, then it would’ve meant the development would go ahead in all probability.

“It was important to get a quick verdict against the application, and we nowneed support from the island as a whole, not just residents near to the land.”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Essex said: “The application is going through its official consultation process to gain the feedback not only from residents but also consultees such as Essex County Council Highways.

“We encourage people to share their comments and have their say on our proposal through the official lines.”

Castle Point Council is compiling a new local plan for the borough, specifying where homes should be built over the next 15 years.

Mr Tucker also criticised the application for inaccuracies.

He added: “On the map they’ve put Canvey Island golf course, which doesn’t exist, next to Thorney Bay, and have taken population figures from 2001. If they can’t get basic things like this right, then what hope is there?

“I can understand why they are biased, but what is wrong is that they are trying to sell it as a wonderful idea for Canvey.”

Graham Bracci, chairman of the Canvey Green Belt Campaign group, reminded the meeting that a poll taken in 2009 showed 99 per cent of 6,534 people questioned were against further development of green belt on the island.

John Anderson, town and borough councillor, also raised concerns there would be an estimated 10,000 lorry movements passing through the island throughout the project.

All six members of the planning committee voted against the plans