A NEW political party has been launched by campaigners fighting against plans for 5,000 homes in the borough.

The People’s Independent Party is ready to go head-to-head with Conservatives in Castle Point in a bid to gain control of the council.

The movement has been set up by Steven Cole, Independent councillor for St. George’s ward in Benfleet.

Under the housing plan for Castle Point, 5,000 new homes must be built in the next 15 years - with the new party aiming to cut the number drastically.

He said: “I was getting disenchanted with the Tories and went off to start the People’s Independent Party of people living in the wards.

“We will be governed by people in the borough and wards too and will be listening and working for our borough residents.

“The vibes in the community have been very very positive and I believe we will take seats and the Conservatives will lose power.”

In addition to the campaign against new developments, Mr Cole said the party will also fight for more activities for children.

Russ Savage, 56, from Benfleet, is hoping to be elected for the party and criticised the Conservatives.

He said: “They have not consulted and collaborated with residents about this local plan properly.

“We do not feel the Tories represent the views, desires and aspirations of the residents in our borough.

“We are a group of like minded people putting our political views aside for the sake of the borough and our residents.

“We have very few facilities for young people and also health facilities.”

He also said the new group will be pushing to see street lights turned back on between 1am and 5am.

There will be eight candidates hoping to take each Tory seat on the mainland.

Jeffrey Stanley, newly appointed leader of the Castle Point Council, said: “It’s understandable a new party wants to thrown mud at opposition.”

“None of the concerns are true - we had a long consultation and lots of residents’ views were included in the process.”