CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 27 homes on Canvey green belt have been unanimously rejected.

The proposal to develop land in Holland Avenue was turned down during a Castle Point Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday over concerns noise pollution and flood risk had not been taken into account.

Councillors also ruled developers Golden Circle had failed to address wildlife concerns and air quality issues in its application.

Anglian Water were criticised for claiming the drainage system at the Dutch village could take the extra homes, despite the company previously claiming the island was unable to take any more new development.

Ray Howard, Tory councillor for Canvey West, said developers have been trying to build on the land for more than 40 years.

He said: “It’s had a long history, and it first came to our attention in 1973 when I was chairman of Canvey Urban District Council’s planning committee. The plans were rejected and then dismissed on appeal in 1980.

“I would say it’s the right of any developer to submit a planning application if they so wish. But everybody is aware of the considerable difficulty residents have in the area in terms of access.

“The current situation of the roads are appalling, and they are not accessible even without the 27 homes. The audacity of not mentioning it in the application is unacceptable.”

Bill Sharp, a member of the planning committee, called the application “appalling” and criticised the developers for going against green belt policy.

He said: “This has been brought in as a quick fix and I think the drawing was done by an 11-year-old at school.

“I think this application is appalling. In the plan, it identified the retention of this site within the green belt allocated in the amended local plan.

“This is not the plan as I see it, because this is virgin green belt, which is something this council has sought to protect. So on the basis of that, it’s the only reason we don’t need to view this anymore, as far as I am concerned.”

Graham Bracci, who heads up the Canvey Green Belt Campaign Group, spoke at the meeting.

He believes flood risk is one of the most important reasons why development in the area would be inappropriate.

He said: “Both the Environment Agency and the lead flood authority have confirmed that the Dutch village’s urban drainage is incomplete.

“Poor drainage for neighbouring properties has been identified.

“Consideration should be given as to whether insurance will be given in the event of flooding in the lifetime of the houses. All developments since 2008 will be excluded from the Flood Re scheme, which seeks to give affordable flood insurance, which is a prerequisite for mortgages.

“This undermines the sustainability of the proposal.”