Developers' wishlist 'will spark an outcry' (From Echo)

Developers' wishlist 'will spark an outcry'

6:06pm Friday 4th July 2008 in News By Jon Austin

BASILDON Council is refusing to publish a list of hundreds of possible new development sites - because council chiefs fear public outrage.

That is the claim over the secret list, compiled after the council asked landowners to suggest sites - including land in the green belt - for consideration.

Nearly 200 developers put forward sites, to which the council added more than 65 suggestions of its own.

Both lists were due out in March, but now won't be released until late summer at the earliest. Sources at the council have hinted the delays are down to disagreements over the possible listing of controversial sites which would anger residents.

The Echo has been told the economic slowdown means the council now needs to find land to sell to fund its £35million sports village plan for Gloucester Park.

Tony Ball, Tory deputy council leader, refused to confirm or deny this, but conceded: "Anyone who did financial appraisals on sites a year ago will have to go back and do their maths again because of the price dip.

"However, the latest figures show Basildon house prices are up one per cent, compared to the national six per cent dip. We are not as badly affected."

He maintained the delays were down to data protection issues related to personal information, explaining: "We have to publish the names and details of the individuals or companies who submitted sites. We are still taking legal advice."

However, a source told the Echo: "All councils are going through this process and most have published the sites without a problem. The council knows some of its sites will be unpopular, so seems reluctant to release the details."

This is the second time publication has been delayed. It was originally put back from March until after the May elections.

The Echo has tried unsuccessfully to get the list under the Freedom of Information Act. So has Wickford Action Group, which is fighting to limit house building in the town.

Spokesman David Harrison, said: "We are not interested in the names of individuals. We are just interested in the list of sites. That does not contravene data protection."