CASTLE Point Council’s local plan could be scrapped by April, which would stop thousands of homes being built on green belt.

This comes as a Government inspector indicated last month he was set to approve the controversial plan, which would have seen the properties built by 2033.

However, the Castle Point Conservatives pulled a major U-turn on the proposals, and promised to stop the local plan to find “viable alternatives”.

They could now be scrapped entirely by April by the Canvey Independents.

They will hold a majority vote on the plans, once they return from the inspector.

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The Echo understands four Tory councillors have been told they cannot vote on the plan, due to declarations of interest they submitted previously John Anderson, Canvey Indepedent councillor of the Canvey Central ward, said: “While the inspector is still looking at it, the plans can’t be withdrawn.

“But once he finishes his investigations, the council will vote on it in the chamber.

“We’ve always said we don’t want the local plan as it is, and there may be some new suggestions before then.

“We expect it to come back around March and April.

“It’s very possible that we have the majority in the chamber for the vote.

“It will cost the council more money and it will be several years to form another plan if it is rejected.”

As part of the local plan, at least 5,284 homes, including many on green belt land, would be built by 2033.

Up to 300 homes have been earmarked for the land east of Canvey Road, compared to 196 to the west.

A total of 30 homes would be built off Glyders, in Benfleet.

Tory Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris has repeatedly suggested the plan is “not fit for purpose”.

Just last week, the Conservative group, who formed the plan two years ago, decided they would “stop, look, and listen”.

Simon Hart, Tory councillor of the St James’ ward, said: “The monitoring officer has told them they can’t vote, it’s not their decision.”