EVERY park and green space in Basildon could be at risk if plans for thousands of homes in the town centre are scrapped, it is feared.

The former deputy leader of the council Kerry Smith believes the new Conservative administration “are between a rock and a hard place” after scrapping a masterplan to build around 5,000 homes in the centre of town.

It included ambitions for 492 homes between Market Square and Town Square.

Government inspector Paul Griffiths said the plan could have a “positive impact”.

Bosses of the administration have insisted they are not against building in the town centre but want to hear the public’s views.

Mr Smith said: “The Tories have put themselves between a rock and a hard place.

“They will either have to build in the town centre like we were, or build on green belt land. So which one will it be?

“Every park and field in Basildon is now at risk.

“If the Tories end up building in the town centre, they will have to issue a huge apology to the people of Basildon.”

A consultation has been launched by the council into the future of the town centre.

Carole Morris, vice chairman of the council’s strategic planning and infrastructure committee, said: “We don’t want to build high rise, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to build more properties in Basildon Town Centre.

“The old administration held what they called a public consultation but they were extremely leading questions.

“We have said we will look and see what the public actually want.”

READ MORE >>>

She added: “What is a tower block? It can be different because people’s perceptions are different.We want to hear what the public want.”

Feedback on the local plan from Mr Griffiths, reads: “The first point to make is that Basildon Town Centre regeneration strategy 2020, and the conclusions the council is drawing from it in terms of the provision of housing against objectively assessed need, generally, and its implications on the five-year supply of housing land, puts a very different gloss on the plan.

“In some ways, this impact will be a positive one. The additional housing in the town centre could address my concerns about the plan as submitted not meeting its objectively assessed need in full.” Visit basildon.gov.uk/town-centre-engagement.