A CARAVAN site on Canvey is expanding.

Fifteen concrete bases have been laid down at Thorney Bay Park, while the site’s owner Jeff King said there is room for as many as 600 more.

There are currently around 850 homes on site and residents fear any expansion could increase trouble in the area.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Island Independent Party said: “The problem is the antisocial behaviour spilling out from it.

“I speak to people living in the streets nearby, who say their lives are being made a misery by antisocial youths living at the camp.”

Castle Point Council investigated the park earlier this year following allegations people were living on the site for longer than ten months and not paying council tax.

However, the investigation concluded the park had broken no rules.

Mr King believes people should give the park a break and realise it was providing a vital service.

He said: “A lot of the people who come here have had their homes repossessed. The economy is not good at the moment so where else are they going to go?”

“People should be thanking us, not complaining.

“We’re putting in another 15 at the moment because it will be too cold to do the work in winter.”

He added: “I don’t know exactly how many more homes I could build, probably another 600 or more.”