Head of planning at Castle Point Council, Steve Rogers, says if consent is not granted for 400 new houses on green belt, the Core Strategy Plan will not be passed so the regeneration of Canvey town centre will not go ahead (Sept 10).

What have these houses got to do with the rest of the core strategy, particularly the regeneration of the town centre? We already have at least four supermarkets on Canvey and any new business wanting to set up here know this. They obviously would not make a success of any shop.

Housing has nothing to do with new businesses, unless, of course, it is the business of developers.

Canvey is already overdeveloped. Has Mr Rogers ever tried getting on or off the island at rush hour? Or, indeed, tried to drive round the island at any time? The roads are in such a state of disrepair, narrow with so much road parking and traffic, it is hazardous just getting from A to B.

No Mr Rogers, islanders do not want, nor need, another 400 houses.

Please don’t underestimate our intelligence with talk about building new houses being essential to new businesses, the Core Strategy Plan and the regeneration of the town centre. Try, just for once, listening to the people.

Doreen Balsara
Clinton Road
Canvey