A NEW care home has been recommended for refusal by a council which earmarked the site as potentially perfect for a care home.

Officers have recommended a 57 room care home is refused because of concerns about building on the green belt and because the Local Plan is not yet in place.

It is understood there are concerns if the site is developed before the Local Plan is approved then they will lose it as a site.

Applicant Sheryl Howard manages Stafford Court Care Home on Canvey and has worked in the care industry for more than 30 years.

She said: “It feels like because the council hasn’t got a local plan together that I cannot have my plans passed.

“I have been working to get this passed for a while now.

“The care home we have now is old fashioned and we need a new space.

“The residents and people from Canvey need this new care home and will lose out if it is refused.

“The Canvey people will have to wait a long time if this is not approved and it may not even happen at all.

“Residents will also be sent off the island for care facilities.”

Castle Point Council will consider the application at Garden World Plants Ltd, Canvey Road on Tuesday.

Norman Smith, Tory leader of Castle Point Council said it will be down to the council’s planning committee to decide.

He said: “The committee may think the need is enough for the plans to be passed.

“The people will only lose out if the plans are refused.”

The plans include a part three storey, part two storey building providing a nursing home supporting 57 rooms with 60 beds and 47 parking spaces.

Canvey Town Council previously objected to the plans claiming Ms Howard failed to mention in the application that she is the daughter of long-standing island councillor, Ray Howard.

The connection should have been made clear in the application according to the town council but the final decision rests with the planning committee at Castle Point Council.

Castle Point Council has been reprimanded by the Government for failing to complete its Local Plan which sets out where homes and facilities should be built during the next 15 years.

It is thought this site is set to be earmarked for development in the plan but as this is not happened the council delays could cost the island a facility.

If a Local Plan is not agreed shortly central Government civil servants may decide on sites instead.