AN MP has blamed a rise in immigration for fuelling Gov-ernment demands to build thousands of new homes in south Essex.

Castle Point MP Bob Spink believes the flow of European migrants moving to Britain has accelerated the need for housing and is causing unnecessary development of rural areas.

He said: “We are treating the symptoms of this issue and not the cause.

“Immigration is the single biggest factor in the increased demand for housing.

“I admire and defend decent immigrants, they’re enterprising and good people.

“But we have to appreciate immigration increased nationally by about 300,000 last year, according to the official figures.

“In reality, the number is probably far greater than that.”

Dr Spink spoke out following comments made by Ian Burchill, Castle Point Council’s environment director, during a council cabinet meeting brought to a halt by residents protesting against green belt development.

Mr Burchill is the man behind the council’s plans to build 1,000 new homes by 2021.

Figures show more than 1,000 European migrants have settled in Southend between 2004 and 2007.

A further 855 moved to Thurrock, and 635 to Basildon.

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