CONTROVERSIAL plans to build more than 30 new homes have been given the green light – despite “almost identical proposals” being thrown out last year.

Castle Point Council’s planning committee approved plans for 20 new houses and 13 flats this week despite concerns over the impact on badgers and a lack of parking included in the plan for Lionel Road, Canvey.

The Essex Badger Protection Group previously warned the plan would be “without doubt catastrophic for the badgers” but councillors warned developments similar to this “must be embraced” to protect the borough’s green belt.

Concerns have been previously raised that Castle Point’s green belt is under siege from developers because of a lack of a local plan in place.

Despite the plans being approved, two councillors spoke against the issue in the meeting and criticised the plan alongside a lack of parking, with one space per flat and two per houses planned.

Tom Skipp, Conservative councillor responsible for Appleton ward, said: “In my mind, this application is very indifferent from the previous application that we previously refused. It is not a massive site, and we are putting a lot of units in a small area.

“Also, the parking issue, with the standards we have adopted, this doesn’t comply with those.”

Jacqui Thornton, Conservative councillor responsible for St James’ ward, added: “Planning practice guidance says maximum parking standards can lead to poor-quality development and congested streets. This, I feel, will cause problems around that area, so I can’t support it.”.

After being refused in April 2023, developer SJT Developments asked the council to “reconsider”

However, the housing contribution has been cut from £550,000 in the first application, to £74,000 in the second.

Russell Savage, PIP councillor responsible for St Mary’s ward, said: “I fully support it. I think the affordable housing element payment is disappointing but that is the world we live in. We are in a world where these kinds of developments come along, and we have to embrace them when they come along to stop other areas being destroyed that we don’t want destroyed.”

Rob Lillis, PIP councillor responsible for Boyce ward, added: “I support it as it is a prime brownfield site. If the wish is to protect the green belt, then these are the sort of applications that come before us. I think the reasons for refusal, by and large, have been addressed. I do still have concerns around badgers, but I support the application.”