PLANS for a massive housing estate on a Canvey caravan park would stretch the island’s already congested roads to breaking point, it has been claimed.

The concerns were raised after Jeff King, owner of Thorney Bay Park, revealed his intention to build on part of the site, off Thorney Bay Road.

It is believed there is room for more than 800 homes on the land.

The concerns have been heightened as Castle Point Council is already considering an application to build 100 new homes on the site of an industrial estate, in Point Road.

Furthermore, developer Per-simmon has unveiled proposals to build 300 more on green fields east of Canvey Road.

It is feared the new developments will clog up the island’s roads.

There are only two routes on and off the island – Canvey Way and Canvey Road – which are both linked to the Waterside Farm roundabout Canvey councillor John Anderson said: “Every resident I speak to knows the major problem.

“If there is an accident at Waterside Farm, the traffic gets completely gummed up.

“The average person says there is no room for any more homes on Canvey and concreting over Thorney Bay will only make things worse.”

It is thought traffic problems caused by a potential housing development at Thorney Bay Park might be reduced by proposals to extend Roscommon Way to Thorney Bay Road, which would take traffic away from congestion on Long Road.

An £18million scheme to extend Roscommon Way to Haven Road is ongoing.

Essex County Council has submitted an application to the Government to fund the second phase of the project from Haven Road to Thorney Bay Road.

A possible solution could be for the developer of Thorney Bay Park to part fund the second phase as a condition of receiving planning permission.

Earlier this year, Canvey councillor Ray Howard proposed building new homes on Thorney Bay Park could be an alternative to building on green fields east of Canvey Road.

However, Castle Point Council, which has earmarked the Canvey Road site for future development, said no decision could be taken until an application has been submitted for the Thorney Bay site.

Mr Howard said: “I have been a long-term supporter of building on Thorney Bay and I’ve give evidence to a public inquiry stating so.

“However, I do think 800 homes is too many for the site.”