CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 250 homes on green belt in Benfleet are set to go on display.

Developer Persimmon Homes is gearing up to submit an application to build hundreds of homes on Jotmans Hall Farm, off Jotmans Lane.

Worried neighbours fear it could be the tip of the iceberg as the company’s former proposals for the site was for 600 homes.

Now, residents will be able to get a first look at the plans at a two-day exhibition later this month.

A spokesman from Persimmon said: “The aim of the exhibition is to discuss our plans with the local community and to hear the views of local residents, businesses and stakeholders as well as those people looking for an affordable new home or who are on a council waiting list.”

This comes after developer Redrow Homes held a similar exhibition to build more than 150 homes on green belt land off Felstead Road, Thundersley.

Under Government legislation, Castle Point Council is required to make provision for 1,200 additional properties across the borough by 2018.

The council has so far earmarked sites for 1,008 of these as part of its new development strategy for the borough, with 559 set to be built on mainland Castle Point and the remaining 449 on Canvey.

Green belt activists, who have been battling to preserve the site for years, are urging residents to turn out in full force to put forward their views.

Sharon Knight, of Philmead, Benfleet, said: “Make no mistake, this is only the first phase and once this is approved all of the homes from the original plans will be built.

“Residents of Benfleet and surrounding areas who think they are not affected by this should take note. All this additional traffic will be routed through Jotmans Lane and onto the High Street, then the A13.

“If we don’t show a united front, these will be built. This will forever change the landscape of Castle Point.”

The exhibition will take place at Richmond Hall, off Richmond Avenue, Benfleet from 1pm to 5pm on November 23 and from 10am to 4pm on November 24.

Consultation for the plans will end on December 14.

Feedback forms will be available for download from November 23 at www.jotmanslane.com or by contacting 0800 3196111 or consultation@jotmanslane.com

Are you going? Let us know what you think on 01268 469435.