COUNCILLORS are concerned that a plan to build new homes on Canvey is being rushed through despite the absence of key reports.

Members of Castle Point Council’s local plan task and finish group are being asked to consider where 320 new houses a year should be built in the borough without input from Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and Calor Gas.

An urban drainage report, from Anglian Water and the Environment Agency, and the Calor Gas report, would both help address concerns members have about infrastructure, the green belt, flooding and hazardous sites on the island.

However, councillors on Canvey said they still haven’t seen the reports even though the draft local plan needs to be finished by December.

John Anderson, councillor for Canvey Island Central ward, said: “We need more time to discuss the constraints and get both the reports or at least hold more meetings, because we now won’t meet again until the end of October and we’ll be getting close to when the draft is due.

“Surface water flooding on Canvey isamajor concern, and the urban drainage report isn’t ready. We also need to get a copy of the Calor Gas Safety report which sets out areas in Canvey which could be at risk in the event of an explosion.”

Dave Blackwell, councillor for Canvey Island Central, added: “We don’t want to rush into the local plan. If we need to call an expert in to deliver the gas report’s findings, then it needs to be done.”

Norman Smith, chairman of the council’s task and finish group, is convinced the committee will finish the report on time.

He said: “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we’re hopeful that the plan can be successfully delivered.”

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, said the reports were not vital to the task in hand.

He said: “The reports requested are not relevant to the work of the local plan task and finish group which has been established specifically to consider the responses to consultation on the draft local plan.”

Castle Point has been told it has to build around 320 houses a year until 2031 to cope with projected population increases in the borough.

Uncertainty over protecting green belt land has led to delays and a task and finish group is expected to report its findings on the draft plan and public consultation to a full council meeting by December.