Councillors want to call in experts before any decision is made on storing dangerous chemicals on Canvey.

Canvey Island Independent Party councillors want Castle Point Council to seek professional advice before decisions about the island’s Oikos and Calor Gas terminals.

In 2013, councillors were accused of approving an application to store methanol, ethanol, kerosene and gasoline at Oikos’ Haven Road site without understanding the implications.

Neville Watson, councillor for Canvey Winter Gardens, wants to make sure the council is better informed in future.

He said: “It is all about reducing the risk to the population so people feel comfortable about living with the risk. As a party, we just want to know we are not doing anything during the planning process that would increase the risk.

“If we had a home built too close to a site, for instance, we would put the population under necessary risk.”

Mr Watson said lessons should be taken from an investigation into the 2005 explosions at Buncefield oil depot, Hertfordshire, which caused hundreds of homes to be evacuated.

He called on Castle Point Council to resist the temptation to build homes too close to the sites when developing its local plan.

Concerns have been raised about proposals for 600 homes at Thorney Bay caravan park, due to its proximity to the Oikos site.

Mr Watson said: “We all know we need homes, but please don’t forget it is also vital we have an industry that is protecting a national need and we have to live together. It is about getting the balance between economics and the need for fuel.”

Neither Essex Fire and Rescue nor the Health and Safety Executive raised concerns about Oikos’ storage application in 2013.

Despite councillors stating they did not fully understand the implications, they were advised by officers to approve the application as the council would find it difficult to defend an appeal against a refusal.

Mr Watson added: “If the issue came up again, I would be forced to say I am not well trained enough to vote on it.”

An Oikos spokesman said: “The Health and Safety Executive provides all the technical advice on issues like this and Oikos supports officials and office bearers being as well-informed as possible.”