THE public be given the chance to have their say on plans for 15,000 new homes across Basildon after councillors approved a major consultation.

The new draft local plan, which sets out where developments will go over the next 20 years, will be sent out for residents to scrutinise- despite major concerns being raised.

Cross-party councillors voted in favour of the consultation after Richard Moore, Tory councillor responsible for planning, warned failure to draw up a final plan could see the Government step in to allocate sites.

Ukip tried to delay the consultation, arguing there had been no discussion about the 1,000 acres of green belt land which has been earmarked for development between now and 2034.

David Sheppard, Ukip councillor for Fryerns, said: “The plan fails to provide any other optional green belt sites to those identified in the plan.

“It also fails to provide any alternative options for employment land across the borough.”

The party failed to gain support for its amendment, which asked the cabinet to reconsider the plan before sending it out to the public.

Another amendment, from Independent councillor Kerry Smith, calling for controversial developments in Dry Street and Dunton Garden Suburb to be removed from the plan, was also defeated.

Phil Rackley, Green councillor for St Martin’s ward, said: “I don’t want the Government to impose a plan on us.

“This plan is bad enough - I dread to think what a Tory government would impose on us.”

Mr Moore added: “I don’t want the plan developed by civil servants in Whitehall who have no interest in what goes on here.

“We might not have it completely right, but at least we all live here.”

Gavin Callaghan, Labour group leader and councillor for Pitsea North West, called on NHS bosses to play a greater role in the process.

He claims guidance from the Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group, stating only one new GP surgery in the borough would be required in the plan, was unhelpful.

Mr Callaghan added: “By 2020 we are estimated to have a GP deficit, but the plan proposes just one more practice and upgrading others.

“Where exactly will this new GP surgery be? I think it would be better if we could have it pinpointed.

“Do Basildon Hospital have anything to say about this, in the week they have gone on black alert?”

An eight-week public consultation period is expected to launch at the end of this month.

The Government has set a deadline of early 2017 for councils to have completed plans.

'Burden of the development must be shared equally across the borough'

ALL parts of the borough should take on an equal share of the burden in solving Basildon’s housing crisis, opposition councillors argue.

The draft plan proposes 8,835 homes in the Basildon area, 1,860 in Billericay and 3,300 in Wickford.

It has led Labour and Ukip councillors to accuse ruling Tories, who largely represent Billericay wards, of sparing the town of the brunt of development.

Aidan McGurran, Labour councillor for Pitsea South East, said: “We are facing a housing crisis in Basildon borough.

“We have to be very honest about that and the impact will be on every part of the borough, including Billericay.

“I hope the people of Billericay, and those who represent them, embrace the fact difficult decisions about the green belt have to be faced.

“It is not enough to sit in Billericay and gloat about living in this perfect little bubble, because your children and grandchildren have to be homed too.

“We have to be realistic and it is time the people of Billericay took on some of the burden of housing people in this borough.”

Labour group leader Gavin Callaghan added: “Development is often portrayed as a negative, but it can be an opportunity.

“We are at risk of losing an entire generation of people who want to stay here but have nowhere to live, people like myself who want to own a home in Basildon.”

Echo:

Failed motion: Independent councillor Kerry Smith

Dry Street remains part of plan despite legal challenge

AN ATTEMPT to get controversial development sites removed from the draft local plan was rejected by councillors.

Kerry Smith, Independent councillor for Nethermayne, asked for Dunton and Dry Street to both be taken off the document.

A joint consultation last year by Basildon and Brentwood councils asked for views on a proposed Dunton Garden Suburb of up to 6,000 homes, which would cross the boundary between the boroughs.

A total of 84 per cent of residents who took part in the consultation said they opposed the scheme.

Basildon Council has not included the suburb proposal in its draft plan, but it has allocated 1,000 homes for land in Dunton.

Adjoining land has also been reserved for a further 1,350 homes, which would be built at a later date.

Brentwood Council is likely to press ahead with the suburb proposal when it meets at the end of this month, allocating land up to its border with Basildon for homes.

Mr Smith believes there is an inconsistency with the council’s policy for Dunton compared to Bowers Gifford, where open space has been allocated to prevent a 2,000 home development causing the village to merge with Pitsea.

He said: “Both our borough MPs made it clear in the run-up to the election they oppose Dunton Garden Suburb.

“We should defend the green space to the west of our borough like we are in the east.”

Mr Smith also called for the 725-home Dry Street development, which already has planning permission, to be removed pending a legal challenge from the Basildon Green Action Group.

He said: “If we approve the plan, our planning committee will have their hands tied even if the challenge succeeds.”