THE full details of where almost 5,000 homes will be built across Castle Point have finally been released - with D-Day for the council to avoid Government intervention fast approaching.

Locations for all the proposed sites, set to be developed over the next 20 years, have been released, with 1,399 set for Canvey across nine sites, and 2,823 for the rest of Castle Point across 20 sites - with room needing to be found for at least 600 more.

A number of green belt sites have been released under the plan, but the council has insisted it is attempting to keep the number of homes on green belt to a “bare minimum”.

The council will meet next Wednesday, with the aim of approving the 230 home a year plan...but government inspectors have now made it clear they will intervene if it is rejected - upping the count to 342 per year.

The agenda ahead of the crunch meeting confirmed that at least 4,800 homes are needed, as well as 90 residential care beds.

Castle Point Council leader, Norman Smith, admitted that no councillor will be happy with the plan, including himself, but stated the alternative is much worse.

He said: “It is very much D-Day.

“We have had real struggles with this plan, but this time the threat of intervention is very serious and will happen.

“No councillor will be in favour of this plan, it is difficult, I am not happy because we are having to release the green belt.

“It is not ideal, but the alternative does not bear thinking about.

“It will be a third more homes, and they will intensify the number of homes we have planned for each of the sites.

“At the moment, we have planned a minimal number of homes for the green belt, with space in each green belt site for play areas and the like, but the Government will insist on having as many homes as possible on those sites.”

Castle Point Council was issued an urgent warning last November, urging it to complete its 4,000 minimum home local plan by the end of January this year, or provide exceptional reasons why not.

The council failed to complete the plan and central Government wrote to bosses on March 23, telling them an “intervention” would take place if completion didn’t materialise.

Full list of sites proposed:

  • Land west of Benfleet – 940 homes
  • Land between Felstead Road and Catherine Road, Benfleet – 183 homes 
  • Land off the Glyders, Benfleet – 30 homes
  • Land of the former WRVS Hall, Richmond Avenue, Benfleet - 39 homes
  • Land at Kents Hill Road, Benfleet – 35 homes 
  • Land East of Rayleigh Road, Hadleigh – 455 homes 
  • Land at Brook Farm, Daws Heath – 173 homes
  • Land south of Scrub Lane, Hadleigh – 55 homes
  • Land at Oak Tree Farm, Hadleigh – 65 homes
  • Land north of Scrub Lane, Hadleigh – 15 homes
  • Land at Park Chase, Hadleigh – 21 homes
  • Hadleigh Island Site, London Road, Hadleigh – 52 homes
  • Land East of Downer Road North, Thundersley – 30 homes 
  • Land West of Glebelands, Thundersley – 155 homes
  • Land east of Manor Trading Estate, Thundersley – mixed use including 95 homes
  • Land at The Chase, Thundersley – 350 homes 
  • Land at Weir House, Arterial Road, Hadleigh – 12 homes 
  • Land west of Rayleigh Road, Hadleigh – 60 homes 
  • Lands at Thames Loose Leaf, Kiln Road, Thundersley – 12 homes
  • Land east of Canvey Road, Canvey Island – 300 homes 
  • Land west of Canvey Road, Canvey Island – 253 homes
  • Land at Thorney Bay Caravan Park, Canvey Island – 600 homes
  • Land at Point Road, Canvey Island – 100 homes 
  • Land at Walsingham House, Lionel Road, Canvey Island – 32 homes
  • Admiral Jellicoe Public House, High Street, Canvey Island – 40 homes
  • Land south of Haron Close, Canvey Island – 10 homes
  • Haystack Car Park, Long Road, Canvey Island – 14 homes
  • Land at Solby Wood Farm, Daws Heath – 46 homes
  • Land adjacent Kings Park Village, Canvey Island – 50 homes