HUNDREDS of residents have objected to plans for 173 homes on green belt land in Castle Point as opposition to the bid mounts.

More than 250 people have spoken out again proposals by developer Countryside Partnerships for the new homes at Brook Farm, in Daws Heath Road.

Furious campaigners believe they could have broken records for the number of objections to plans on the Castle Point Council website after 256 people raised concerns.

In contrast, just one comment of support has been submitted.

Residents are demanding the plans are refused over concerns about destroying open green belt land in the borough.

Tim Copsey, 51, of Daws Heath said: “This has to be one of the worst planning applications Castle Point has seen in many a year.

“There is a possibility we might see the record broken for the most objections to a Castle Point application.

“There are outdated documents that do not reflect the new reality of a council dedicated to protecting green spaces, and a letter from central government backing the council to make a new local plan that reflects protecting green space and that is supported by residents.”

Castle Point campaigner Graham Bracci also raised serious concerns about a precedent being created if the plans are agreed.

Mr Bracci, 70, of Canvey, said: “I feel that the very special circumstances needed to allow this development would be hard to prove.

“All along the Government have reiterated the importance of local plans as a development planning tool to enhance and regenerate areas, this developer has chosen a shotgun approach, which must be resisted.”

Plans say that 40 per cent of the new homes would be affordable housing, with a mix of affordable rent and affordable home ownership tenures.

The site had been allocated for development in Castle Point Council’s 5,000-home Local Plan before councillors voted to reject the plan at the end of March.

Countryside declined to comment.