1,000 homes on green belt (From Echo)

1,000 homes on green belt

6:43pm Wednesday 9th July 2008 in

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ABOUT 1,000 homes may be built on green belt land across Castle Point.

The council wants to build 500 homes on Canvey, on both sides of Canvey Road and behind Castle View School - despite Environment Agency rules banning new building on floodplains.

The council says it is currently in talks with the Government to try to get special permission to sidestep these rules.

Protected land between Daws Heath Road and the A127 in Thundersley is also being eyed up for 500 homes as part of Castle Point Council's 20-year vision for the borough.

The council says it needs to consider building on "fringe" green belt land, to meet Government targets that it find space for 4,000 homes in the borough by 2021. The proposals will now go out to public consulatation.

Deputy council leader Jeffery Stanley said: "This is not a finished document until the public give us their views.

"We have kept the principle of completely protecting the broad green belt areas, but realise we have to look at some fringe green belt sites on the edge of urban areas."

Planning permission is already in place for 555 homes around the borough and 400 homes are planned for Hadleigh and Canvey town centres.

Brownfield sites for a further 1,270 homes have also been identified in areas around Benfleet, Hadleigh and Thundersley.

The green belt areas were chosen following discussions with landowners who indicated they would be keen to build on the land.

Council chief executive David Marchant said he was confident the current floodplain restrictions could be surmounted so new homes can be built on Canvey.

He said: "We are actively engaged with the Government at the highest level to try and resolve the issue of flood risk.

"Doing nothing is clearly not an option, there needs to be renewal on Canvey."

However, Canvey Independent Party leader Dave Blackwell said the green belt, particularly on the island, should be protected at all costs.

He said: "Canvey hasn't got enough green belt to give away.

"We have the best flood defences in the world but the environment agency are talking about flooding cause by rainfall and the drainage system is not fit to take the development."

Following the consultation, which ends on August 15, the proposals will be voted on by councillors. If they back the plans, they will then sent to the Government for approval in October.

The plans will be on display at Richmond Hall, High Road, Benfleet, on July 21, The Paddocks, Long Road, Canvey, on July 24 and Runnymede Hall, Kiln Road, Thundersley, on August 7.

They can also be viewed at www.castlepoint.gov.uk or the council's offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley, and at the borough's libraries.

Views should be sent to planning@castlepoint.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, Castle Point Borough Council, Council Offices, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS17 1TF.