COUNCILLORS deferred a decision on plans for a new education centre and shop at Barleylands Farm in Billericay following concerns about too much development at the green belt site.

Peter Philpot, owner of the tourist farm, which already includes a craft centre and other visitor attractions, hoped to open a single-storey farm education and assembly room with a shop.

Basildon Council’s development control committee was in favour of the educational facilities, but had concerns that another shop was not needed on top of the craft village.

Phil Rackley, deputy Labour group leader, said: “I am in two minds. It is a very fully-developed site, anyway. The addition of an extra unit does not mitigate against that. What was a farm is now a whole host of other things.”

Tory councillor Carole Morris said: “For a green belt site there has been an enormous number of planning applications in a comparatively short space of time.

“I do not believe there are very special circumstances to allow it and there comes a time to reach a limit. I think that time has come.”

Other councillors were happy with the learning facilities, but questioned the need for more retail.

Basildon mayor Mo Larkin said: “Barleylands is a jewel in the crown for Billericay and will bring more tourists. More visitors to the farm outweighs any intrusion in the green belt.”

Mr Philpot said school visitor numbers were rapidly increasing because no one else provides such facilities, and there will soon be 15,000 children a year.

He urged the committee to vote in favour.

Chairman Stephen Hillier declared a prejudicial interest because he has been working for one of Mr Philpot’s companies through his computer consultancy firm, and did not vote.

The committee voted to defer the application and reconsider a revised version with the shop removed.