FURIOUS families fear they are being priced out of their homes as there properties are replaced by plush new homes that residents will struggle to afford.

Residents at Thorney Bay Village, a static home park on Canvey, say they’ve been “unfairly treated” and asked to leave their homes to make room for the Sandy Bay development.

However, bosses at the park have said residents have had “plenty of notice” and have not been charged rent for the last year.

Roughly 100 homes are being removed and replaced for the Sandy Bay development, with homes starting at £259,995 for a two-bed bungalow.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “Thorney Bay Park is evicting tenants and making families and children homeless for Christmas to make way for the big Sandy Bay development.

“They are being kicked out even if they don’t owe money and those who do owe money have offered to pay it back but the bosses said no.”

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The homes set to be removed are rented by residents, but the new homes are for private ownership.

When the new Sandy Bay project is complete, the site will provide a total of 900 homes. It will feature a clubhouse with a restaurant, cafe, bar and convenience store, an indoor swimming pool, spa and gym complex, a gated entrance with 24-hour security and maintenance teams.

Jeff King, owner of Thorney Bay Caravan Park, said: “The caravans are going to be replaced with the new Sandy Bay homes. The residents were told around two years ago and have had double the notice.

“They have not been offered these new home as they are renting residents.

“There are about 100 homes being cleared and some have gone and the others will be in the near future but it’s not going to be in the next few weeks.

“We started this homes project about four-and-a-half years ago. These new homes are for private ownership and not rental.

“We have housed these people for a long time and have helped them out. They’ve also had free rent for the last year too.”