A FOUR year battle to stop 265 houses being built on green belt land has been reignited after developers lodged an appeal.

Castle Point Council initially refused permission for the new development on land off Jotmans Lane, Benfleet, in 2013.

A lengthy legal battle followed - with Persimmon Homes taking the case to the Government in a bid to overturn the decision. It prompted a four-day hearing in September 2015.

After more than 18 months of deliberations, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government ruled in favour of Castle Point Council - despite a planning inspector recommending the appeal was upheld.

Residents breathed a sigh of relief when Friday, June 2 - the deadline for the developers to lodge an appeal with the High Court - came and went without any update from Castle Point Council.

However, just this week an eagle-eyed neighbours spotted workmen on the land. An investigation by the Save Jotmans Farm campaign group has now revealed developers Burrows and Dunn Ltd did launch a High Court challenge on May 31.

Sue Buhr, from the campaign group, said: “How this can happen after the six weeks is up who knows.

“This is an absolute disgrace. I am so angry.

“We have fought against this for four years and believed that it was all over.

“People had started selling their houses, getting building work done and new people have moved in because we thought the fight was over.

“We didn’t have a single word from the council, the MP or any councillors that Persimmon were appealing.

“They have gone behind our backs with this. If they had told us, then I wouldn’t feel so let down.

“We don’t know when the case is going to go before the High Court - it could be next year.

“Our lives will be put back on hold until then.”

It is understood that submitted evidence will be used to decide if Burrows and Dunn has a case to appeal before a court date is set.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council said: “The developers have made an application to the High Court seeking permission to appeal the decision of the Secretary of State dated April 21, 2017 which upheld the council’s decision to refuse planning permission.

“As the appeal is actually against the dcision of the Secretary of State it is for the Secretary of State to defend.

“The council is monitoring the situation, councillors have been kept informed but matters are at an early stage.”

The spokesman said she is unaware when the appeal was lodged.