PLANS to allow up to 100 homes to be built on school playing fields have been criticised by Essex County Council.

Castle Point Council has earmarked the land at the back of Castle View School, Canvey, to help it meet the building target of 4,000 homes within the borough by 2021.

However, a letter from the county council’s principal planner, Roy Lewis, has made it clear it is against the land on Meppel Avenue being used for housing.

Castle View School is set to relocate from it’s current site to a new school being built on the site of Furtherwick Park School which will close in 2011.

The county council wants to build a new vocational centre on Castle View’s site and is currently drawing up a business plan.

In the letter Mr Lewis writes: “The transformation and extension of educational facilities on the island will be a key contribution to the social and economic regeneration of Canvey, through enhancement of skills and economic opportunity.  “The provision of a vocational centre on the Castle View school site remains a firm commitment of the County Council.  “In this context, it is difficult to understand how the housing proposed for this location could be accommodated alongside successful realisation of the proposals for the vocational centre.”

The letter was written after the county council was asked for its view on Castle Point Council’s core strategy, a document setting out a vision for future development in the borough.

It supports Castle Point Council’s vision to meet the 4,000 target by planning around 3,000 homes on previously developed land and 1,000 on green field sites.

Ian Burchill, Castle Point Council’s director of environment and community services, said: “This site was identified as a potential site for housing and a new children’s play area, but only if there is sufficient space after the vocational centre.

“We will be seeking further meetings with Essex County Council to establish its needs for the site, and can then consider the best way forward.”