COUNCILLORS could throw out plans to build 300 homes in Billericay.

A review of the homes will take place on Tuesday.

The Tories announced they would look again at Billericay housing plans after wrestling back control of the council in May.

Opposition councillors have accused the Tories of trying to push houses out of the area they live in and into Basildon.

Independent councillor Kerry Smith said: “They are jeopardising a Government local plan in a vain attempt to take 300 homes away from Billericay.”

Conservative councillor Phil Turner responded: “What happened under Labour and Ukip was they stuffed Billericay full of houses with no infrastructure, thought or evidence that it was the right place for them.

“This is about what we can do that is best for the borough.”

The borough-wide plan involves 20,000 new homes.

Council leader Andrew Baggott met with Simon Gallagher last month after the Government threatened to intervene and take over the plan, which could have meant even more homes being built.

Speaking on a YouTube video about the meeting he said: “They understand exactly what it is we are doing, they have a little bit of concern about the fact we are going to be doing this in five months rather than the three months we had anticipated but I’ve accepted that.”