ACRES of fiercely-defended green belt land in Rochford may end up being built on to meet Government new homes targets, councillors fear.

The district council prides itself on its green spaces, but has been told to find sites for 3,800 new homes by 2021.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has named housing as his priority and wants three million new homes built nationwide by 2020.

A think-tank recently concluded two-thirds of these would have to use greenfield sites or land in green belt near towns.

Senior Tory councillor Peter Webster conceded: "Unfortunately, I believe even the planned building of 3,800 new homes by 2021 in the district will inevitably mean some loss of green belt land in an area which is nine-tenths green belt.

"We will do the best we possibly can to ensure this is kept to a minimum, but that is easier said than done.

"Wherever we propose new housing there is going to be opposition, as no one wants more housing built, except the landowners and the developers."

The need for more roads, schools, doctors' surgeries and hospitals would also put pressure on local land Mr Webster added.

Chis Black, leader of the council's Lib Dem group, said the district - and Rayleigh in particular - had already taken more than its fair share of new housing. He added: "I believe the Government should be looking at relieving the pressure by spreading the burden of housing more evenly across the country.

"In south Essex we do not have the roads and we do not have the water supply to support it."

Rochford and Southend East Tory MP James Duddridge shares councillors' concerns.

He stressed: "It is important plans for new houses in the district do not damage the Essex countryside.

"I am concerned not enough attention has been paid to the views of experts who have been warning intensive house-building would damage the green belt and increase flood risks."