A COUNCIL is calling on a neighbouring authority to help meet its housing need.

Castle Point Council has been told it has to build 285 homes a year to meet figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government, which show the borough’s population will grow by 12 per cent by 2037.

Councillors claim there is not enough room for the homes so they plan to ask Chelmsford City Council to help them out.

The move comes after the city council issued a report identifying potential cooperation with Castle Point on matters such as housing, employment, infrastructure and the green belt.

Ray Howard, Canvey councillor, said: “Chelmsford isavery large area and the city council covers Battlesbridge, South Woodham Ferrers and Runwell, which are all in south Essex.

“They’re taking on a lot of development, and are all near main roads with good infrastructure.

“Woodham is on a busy branch line into Liverpool Street, and Chelmsford is looking to get another train station near Beaulieu Park. We’ll be planning a meeting in the near future. We can only hope and try to arrange something.

“They have so many more opportunities for development compared to Castle Point.”

Godfrey Issacs, councillor for St James’ ward in Hadleigh, said: “My only concern is when we look at a duty to cooperate with our neighbours, how far will the neighbourhood go?”

Councillor Norman Smith, chairman of the council’s task and finish group, which is setting out where the new homes should be built, felt the scope for support from Chelmsford was strong. He said: “Chelmsford does regard us as a neighbour, when you think of how close the borders are, particularly with areas of Wickford, otherwise they wouldn’t have issued the report.

“They’ve requested we cooperate with a list of things, and we, in return, will ask if they will consider taking on some of the new houses in our borough.”