THOUSANDS of homes on green belt land will be resisted by Southend Council but a “mini Manhattan” could see high-rise flats in the town centre instead.

Southend councillors united to stop plans for 7,200 homes on land between Southend and Rochford at full council meeting, which would have helped to solve a homes shortage.

A blueprint for the plan for the green belt land, between Sutton Road and Star Lane, first emerged in May.

The proposals for 1,461 new homes at Fossetts Farm, which would go alongside a new Southend United football stadium, were included.

Now council chiefs are eyeing up car parks in the town to build high-rise tower blocks instead.

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This depends on whether Robert Jenrick, minister for housing, communities and local government, lowers the town’s housing target of 23,500 homes over the next 20 years.

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem councillor in charge of environment, culture, tourism and planning, told the Echo the council has found available sites for 10,500 homes in the town, but that is still some way short of the target.

She said: “If the minister won’t lower the target, then a debate needs to be had, one where we build the homes.

“The council is looking at all the options.

“We’ve still got a shortfall of 11,000 if all those sites are built on. And there’s a lot of hoops to get through before we get to that point.

“The sites have to be suitable, available, and deliverable.

“We’re looking at new sites all the time, the search for the 10,500 started four years ago.

“It could have to be high rise instead, but where will all the amenities go?

“The minister needs to see sense.”

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, previously suggested using some of the Ministry of Defence land in Shoebury and Foulness to build homes.

However Mrs Mulroney ruled out that possibility as the MOD are not willing to sell.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council, who told the Echo last month that 27-storey skyscrapers could be built in Southend, said: “Southend is only eight miles long and two miles wide.

“In my view, we could multi-storey the Tylers Avenue and York Road car park, which would allow us to build blocks of flats on other car parks in the town.

“The spaces would all equal out.

“I’ve said that to improve the High Street, we need more people in the town.

“It would be a mini Manhattan.

“We could get rid of the Victoria bus station, and build transport hubs near the train station instead. There could be homes on that site.

“We have to consider if we need the Civic Centre anymore with the new way of working.

“That could be homes too.

“We have to get as close to the target as possible.”

The Tories have scheduled a meeting with Southend’s two MPs, James Duddridge and Sir David Amess, to discuss the housing target.

The Echo understands Tory leader Tony Cox has also requested a meeting with Mr Jenrick.

Mr Cox said: “It’s a step in the right direction.

“It’s contradictory, however, when the council is still including the green belt as part of the future consultation into new homes.

“The MP’s have listened to our concerns and will be having words with the minister himself.

“The council hasn’t exhausted all the options.

“They need to be pushing on the MOD land to release it.”