A BATTLE to stop thousands of tonnes of earth being moved across Southend has prompted 1,300 campaigners to sign a petition opposing the plan.

Bellway Homes needs to raise the ground by up to six metres to build 214 new homes on flood-prone land off Barge Pier Road, Shoebury.

The scheme has been given planning permission which cannot be removed.

But furious campaigners have called for an inquiry and a petition is set to be presented to Southend Council next week outlining public concern.

The soil will be transported via 120 lorry loads a day along the A13 and the A127 and on to Eastern Avenue and Royal Artillery Way, before proceeding along Thorpe Hall Avenue and the seafront to the development adjacent to Gunners Park and the Garrison Estate.'

Ron Woodley, Residents First councillor for Thorpe ward, started the petition to stop 85,000 truck movements.

He said: “What the council didn’t do was it was poorly described in the application and they didn’t consult with any residents along the route. The situation of having all those trucks coming through the city have got people saying, ‘I’ll sign that petition’.

“It shows that people do respond and I’m very happy people took the time out to respond. I don’t believe members on the development control committee fully understood the size of the problem.

“What I find amazing is that this council put in for climate change by 2030 yet we then vote through 85,000 truck movements.”

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Mr Woodley said concerns have been raised about the vibrations of the lorries affecting service pipes beneath Thorpe Hall Avenue as well as their effect on the foundations of residential homes.

He said: “They didn’t do a highways impact assessment. There’s no environmental impact assessment and Anglian Water weren’t contacted about the sewage and water problems under Thorpe Hall Avenue.

“The council has failed in communication and failing to consult. The council has to put its hands up and call for a public enquiry so it’s out in the open and an inspector can make a decision.”

Bellway said it is working closely with the council to find a resolution to its plans and to “deliver a sustainable and beneficial development of new homes for residents in Shoebury”.

The e-petition reached 1,292 signatures and has now closed