BASILDON’S planning controls may be split down the middle of the borough stopping councillors from Billericay voting on Basildon applications and vice versa.

A council research group has been created to explore the possibility of splitting the borough into two planning authorities.

The boundary, which would be marked by the A127, would see two separate committees: one for Billericay and Wickford and the other for Basildon, Laindon and Pitsea.

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The move comes following allegations from independent group councillors that Billericay Conservatives would allow developments in the south of the borough while rejecting similar schemes in their wards.

“It’s making Basildon Council work for the people,” explained independent group leader, councillor Kerry Smith.

“We are calling for is to have separate committees, so only councillors from the part of the world where any development would go, get to vote on it.”

“My fear is, now we don’t have a local plan, that we have Billericay councillors who are willing to throw Basildon under the bus to protect their area from development.”

Billericay West Conservative councillor Phil Turner rubbished the claims.

“This is nothing but divisive rhetoric and has no basis in truth,” he said.

“I was born and raised in Basildon for 40 years, and care about that community as much as Billericay.

“Basildon has never been safer hands, and our track record shows we have improved and enhance Basildon and protected it from harmful developments.”

But Mr Smith contended recent planning decisions proved his point.

“If that solar panel farm that was rejected last week had been in Basildon, I think it would have been approved. Because it was put forward for Billericay, it was refused,” he said.

Plans for a giant solar farm in Crays Hall Farm, Billericay, the size of 50 football pitches, were rejected by councillors last week despite being recommended for approval.

Stuart Terson, Conservative councillor for Pitsea Northwest ward, was appointed as lead member for the task and finish group looking into the proposals at a council meeting on Tuesday night.

The task and finish group will be asked to explore the options for how separate planning committee may be achieved and make recommendations to be presented back to the Overview and Scrutiny committee.