ALARM bells are ringing across Southend as green belt land looks likely to be built on as part of the Castle Point local plan.
Bosses at Southend Council are adamant homes won’t be built on the green belt land in the area, but now fear their local plan could go the same way.
Carole Mulroney, councillor in charge environment, culture, tourism and planning, said: “This raises a lot of concerns with me, and is really worrying.
“It will be a different inspector, but they will be following the same guidelines.
“It’s a standard methodology.
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“None of us want to build on the green belt, but we have to consider all the options.
“It’s ridiculous how somewhere like leafy Berkshire has the same methodology as Southend, where we have a lot less green belt.
“It doesn’t consider any of the issues we have here in Southend.”
Southend Council’s local plan is still going through the consultation phase.
Controversially, green belt land at Bournes Green Chase in Shoebury has been identified as possibly suitable for up to 5,000 new homes
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