Final recommendations for new parliamentary boundaries that will shake up the constituencies across south Essex have been published.

New proposals drawn up by the Boundary Commission could see the number of seats across the country cut by 50 and boundaries for existing seats redrawn.

In Essex, the commission has proposed reducing the number of constituencies from 18 to 17 and redrawing all boundaries except for Chelmsford, Epping Forest and Thurrock.

The new map would see the Hadleigh wards of St James and Victoria, which are currently part of Castle Point, joining Southend West.

The Basildon and Billericay boundary would also be changed, with Pitsea North West and Pitsea South East joining Castle Point.

The commission noted that there was “significant opposition” to the inclusion of the Castle Point wards in the Southend West constituency but their options were “very limited” and the changes were considered to be the best solution for both constituencies.

The change leaves Castle Point in an unusual position where Hadleigh Castle, which is part of the St James Ward and gives Castle Point its name, is no longer within the constituency boundary.