HUNDREDS of homes could be built on the former Eon call centre in Rayleigh, a planning chief has said.

The company closed its London Road site last month, leaving 600 staff redundant and dealing a major blow to the town’s economy.

Keith Hudson, Rochford district councillor responsible for planning, said it was one of the few brownfield sites available in the district with potential for housing. Brownfield sites are areas that have already been used for housing or business.

Under the new Government’s planning laws, if the council built on brownfield sites, it would not be required to build as much on green belt land.

Mr Hudson said: “Every time we build houses here and there on brownfield land, it’s less green belt land we need to release.

“We are hopeful places like the Eon site in London Road, Rayleigh, will come up for consideration with respect to this.

“I’m quite enthusiastic about that.

“If the owners chose to put a planning application in for housing, they would get permission for, let’s say, 100 to 200 homes.

“I can’t say it will, but if it did, it would be quite a dent into release of green belt for west Rayleigh.

“I’m hopeful the owners will do something with it.”

Scott Somerville, Eon spokesman, said: “Our main focus so far has been on helping our colleagues on the site, “Now with the site being closed, we will explore all opportunities and options for the site.

“It doesn’t discount anything.”