THERE are further delays expected to a plan to bring 20,000 new homes to the Basildon borough.

After taking power back from the Labour, Ukip and independents as the local elections, the Conservatives promised to look again at the controversial plan which lists where houses will be built.

In particular, the Tories have said they will reconsider houses in Billericay, where 3,000 are planned, and also the location of traveller and gypsy camps. Due to this, the Tories may have to extend the deadline for the local plan. The council is already facing pressures from government, with Home Secretary Sajid Javid saying government officers will intervene if a plan isn’t put in place soon.

The proposed timetable would see the draft Local Plan go before the council at the end of 2018 before public examination in 2019.

This has prompted frustrations from some residents.

Basildon resident Kirsty Saunders, 27, said: “I think a lot of residents are getting fed up now.

“Obviously we would prefer it if less houses could be built, but as we are just having to accept that a lot of houses are coming to the area it would be preferable just for them to get on with it now.”

Councillor Stephen Hillier, who is vice-chair of the planning committee, said: “As has been agreed at council we are looking to review some of the options for the Local Plan and this development scheme is the timetable that sets out what we want to achieve.”

Changes to the timetable will be discussed at a Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee meeting on Thursday.