COUNCILLORS hope to protect Castle Point’s green belt from rogue developers by securing an 18-month extension for their long-term planning strategy.

Castle Point Council’s Tory leaders scrapped plans for 3,500 new homes on green belt, because of overwhelming opposition from residents.

The local development framework included plans for 500 new homes in Daws Heath, 600 in Benfleet, 650 in Thundersley, and 300 in Canvey.

The Government previously demanded the document should be finalised this month, but that deadline has now passed.

This caused concern the floodgates would be opened for unwanted building schemes, as it is more difficult for councillors to reject planning applications without a long-term development strategy.

Tory councillors are now confident the Government will allow a lengthy deadline extension, which would provide stronger grounds to defend green belt, following comments made by Local Government Minister Bob Neill.

Bill Dick, chairman of the council’s planning committee, said: “Mr Neill seems to be saying he would be prepared to give councils another 18 months to work on our long-term plans.

“That is what we will be asking for when we get to see him with our MP Rebecca Harris.

“That seems to be a realistic amount of time to get it back up and running, after we’ve consulted with councillors and residents.”

The minister made the comments at the Conservative Party conference, in Manchester.

He defended the Government against complaints it has been sending out confusing messages over planning policy.

Ministers drew up plans to simplify planning regulations, which would write into the rules a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”.

However, Prime Minster David Cameron has since expressed determination to protect the countryside.

Councils across the country claim this undermined their efforts to draw up long-term planning strategies.

Mrs Harris is arranging a date for the meeting between herself, senior Castle Point councillors and Mr Neill.