A HUGE new 91-home retirement complex could be built in Billericay with fresh plans submitted to Basildon Council.

McCarthy and Stone Retirement Lifestyles have submitted a bid to build sheltered accommodation and extra care accommodation in a pair of three storey blocks.

The development is planned for land known as Shepperds Tye, off London Road.

Up to 20 jobs would be created but town and borough councillors have raised concerns over the site being on green belt land.

The area is included in the local plan.

Jim Devlin, chairman of Billericay Town Council, said unless the site was release for development it should be refused He said: “I know this sort of development is identified in the local plan but it’s a bit early as we do not know what’s going on with that yet. I know developers do tend to go in a bit early at times.

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“The site does seem to work for this and it’s not untoward to have it there. I do not know I would actively support it and it is green belt land so we would object to it.

“Unless it was release for building we should be objecting to this and I think it would be the same for Basildon Council too.”

Phil Turner, former Tory leader of Basildon Council added: “It will be interesting and I know people are looking for this for of accommodation.

“It’s on green belt and that does tend to mean we would be against it but as it’s in the local plan it does get some partial weight.

“It is so early as we do not have a finalised local plan yet and I think a lot of developers are doing this now and trying to get ahead a bit but this does seem a bit premature to me.”

A planning statement says: “A range of one and two bed units give a variety of layout options and the apartments are specifically designed with an attention to detail reflecting feedback from previous and current residents.

“Typically the layouts are stacked which helps manage noise transmission. In each building there is a warden call system and staff are on duty 24 hours a day in the extra car block. In retirement living a house manager is available during working hours.”