COUNCILLORS have made a u-turn over a review which could have reduced the number of houses being built in Basildon.

Conservative councillor Phil Turner, who had been leader of the council until Ukip, Labour and independent councillors joined forces to oust the Tories from power, had called for an independent review of the local plan in April.

The plan allocated land for future housing development across the borough until 2034.

Currently, the aim it to build 15,260 new houses during this time span.

However, Mr Turner had hoped to reduce the number by asking external experts to go over the plan’s policies on green belt and infrastructure.

At the most recent Infrastructure, Growth and Development Committee meeting, councillors voted unanimously for the review not to go ahead.

Committee chairman, councillor Linda Allport-Hodge, said after the meeting: “I had previously argued, and won support, for an external review of our draft emerging Local Plan because I want to do what we can to minimise development on our green belt.

“Our job is to get a plan that meets the Government’s planning policy framework while at the same time aiming to protect against the negative impact of urban sprawl, defend community spaces and ward off habitat destruction and fragmentation.

“But it has become clear that the proposed review may not the best way of achieving our outcomes, could put us at risk of our plan being found unsound by government inspectors and would seriously delay finalisation of the Local Plan.

“What we need to do now is get on with the job of putting together a Local Plan that balances the Government’s growth agenda and the quality of life of those that live and work in the borough.

“If we don’t stick to our timetable we risk losing control over our Local Plan and handing it over to the Government, which would be a disaster.”

At the meeting, councillors also discussed the results of the public consultation into new and alternative sites proposed for the draft Local Plan. During the meeting, councillors debated the responses to the draft Local Plan consultation that took place from November to December 2016.

Seven new sites not previously considered by the council and ten alternative proposals on sites already considered were identified following responses from developers, planning agents and a Neighbourhood Forum made earlier in 2016.

Mrs Allport-Hodge, added: “As part of developing the Local Plan, we need to ensure we take into consideration the findings of the consultation.”

The new sites under consideration include land south of Outwood Common Road (Brooklands Farm), Billericay; land east of Southend Road (Foot Farm), Billericay; land west of Southend Road (Maitland Lodge), Billericay; Dale Farm, Oak Lane, Crays Hill; land between London Road and the A13, Pitsea, Basildon; and Hovefields and Honiley Neighbourhood Area, Wickford. Alternative sites included Alpha Garden Centre, Wickford and Outwood Farm, Billericay.