THE future of Castle Point leader Pam Challis has been called into question after plans to build homes on the green belt were dropped.

The Tory leader was hit by a backbench rebellion which saw the authority drop plans to build 3,500 new homes on green belt over the next 15 years.

This included 500 properties east of Rayleigh Road, Daws Heath, 600 at Jotmans Hall Farm, Benfleet, 650 off Kiln Road, Thundersley, and 300 east of Canvey Road, Canvey.

She was forced into the humiliating U-turn after backbenchers refused to vote through the proposals because of opposition from thousands of residents.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the opposition Canvey Independent Party, said: “I just can’t see how she can continue after what’s happened. Her backbenchers told her point blank they wouldn’t support these plans, which her administration spent four years and a lot of money developing.

“How can she have any authority now her councillors have openly defied her?”

It is doubtful Mrs Challis will resign, but Tory backbenchers are unhappy with handling of the green belt debacle.

A Conservative councillor, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “She takes too much notice of what officers say and not enough notice of backbenchers. She misjudged the strength of feeling among the majority of backbench councillors on this issue."

The local Labour party, which currently has no councillors, hopes to gain popularity through the controversy.

The Tories hold every council seat in Benfleet, Hadleigh and Thundersley, while Canvey Independent Party dominates on the island.

Brian Wilson, a former Benfleet councillor for Labour, said: “They’ve made a right mess of things, with all the money they wasted drawing up these plans.

“I don’t want to play politics over something as sensitive as green belt, but the Tories need more opposition on the mainland.”

The Echo tried to contact Mrs Challis, but she was unavailable for comment.

Ray Howard, Tory councillor responsible for the environment, said: “I think Pam works really hard and does a very good job.

“She has to make tough decisions. This has been a particularly difficult issue to deal with.

“Unfortunately you will make enemies along the way.

“I certainly wouldn’t want her job and don’t think there are many people who would want it.”