A GOVERNMENT inspector could lift the ban on building new homes on Canvey by next spring, it has been revealed.

During a hearing in June into Castle Point Council’s Core Strategy, which sets out future development in the borough, the council argued there was a need for homes to be built on the island to meet the demands of the existing population.

But the Environment Agency also made representations, raising concerns about flood risk.

Inspector Paul Crysell will now consider both arguments before making a final decision which is due to be published in spring next year.

This decision will follow a ninth and final round of consultation on the Core Strategy.

At a special meeting called to give councillors a chance to scrutinise work on the document, Steve Rogers, head of regeneration and homes, said: “The ultimate decision will be with the inspector.

“We have asked him to acknowledge that Canvey is a special case.

“The Environment Agency have acknowledged that the council has a point on that.”

He said the Environment Agency has acknowledged its negative position created a difficult situation of “preventing development on Canvey when we already have a population of 40,000 living there”.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the opposition Canvey Island Independent Party, questioned the council’s position.

He said: “It worries me that we are pressurising the Environment Agency to ease up on health and safety rules when it comes to flood risk, just to put more houses on Canvey.”

Mr Blackwell also asked if some of the caravans on Canvey’s Thorney Bay Caravan Park could be knocked off the borough’s 5,000 housing target after the Government’s Valuation Office Agency ruled last week 292 of the caravans are eligible for council tax.

But Mr Rogers said Health and Safety Executive rules about the proximity of the mobile homes to Oikos and Calor Gas meant it was not possible.

He said: “The reason is the nature of the dwellings and the location close to hazardous installations where normally residential development would not be permitted.”

Steve Sawkins, from the Canvey Green Belt campaign, criticised the council’s position on flood risk. He said: “For them to say we have already got a population of 40,000 at risk so another few thousand won’t make a difference is arrogant.”