Castle Point High Court ruling slammed by Conservative MP

Castle Point Council launched a legal challenge against a Planning Inspectorate decision to green-light the proposals for the development at Brook Farm on Daws Heath, which was dismissed by a High Court judge on Thursday.

Critics say the now-approved proposals, from developer Countryside Partnerships, will have “devastating consequences” for surrounding villages and have called for residents to engage with the council’s ongoing local plan consultation.

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Dame Rebecca Harris, Conservative MP for Castle Point, said: “I am very disappointed by the High Court ruling that Brook Farm on Daws Heath is grey belt and can be built on. I thank Castle Point Borough Council for fighting for residents.

Frustration - Dame Rebecca has encouraged residents to make their voices heard (Image: Dame Rebecca Harris)

“This ruling will hit Daws Heath residents hardest but has awful implications for Benfleet, Thundersley and Canvey as well.

“Too many green belt sites residents want to protect have been labelled grey belt by the council in its current draft plan and this means the Planning Inspectorate is likely to declare them suitable for development if the plan fails.”

Castle Point Council is currently in the process of consulting residents on its draft local plan, which proposes locations for 6,196 homes to be built over the next 20 years.

Fight - Councillor Tim Copsey, and councillor Warren Gibson at the Royal Courts of Justice (Image: Castle Point Council)

Warren Gibson, deputy leader of the council, said the administration was “very disappointed” in the outcome of the court case and said it had taken it as far as possible.

The local plan was scaled back over the summer after residents expressed concern over the number of green belt sides earmarked for future development.

Design - The new homes are now set to be built (Image: This Land)

Under national planning policy guidelines issued by the Government earlier this year, green belt sites that have previously been developed can be reclassified as grey belt, and avoid the strictest red tape.

Dame Rebecca added: "The council’s consultation on their draft plan runs until December 5. Make your voice heard."

Countryside Partnerships has been contacted for comment.