PEOPLE power won another victory in Castle Point after a key vote on greenbelt development was called off at the last minute.

More than 150 concerned residents piled into Castle Point Council’s offices last night where councillors were due to decide on a controversial plan to build on 36 acres of green belt, equivalent to 12 football pitches.

The plan sets out how the council will meet a Government target of 5,000 new homes and 2,500 jobs by 2026.

More than 2,800 of the homes are planned for previously developed land but residents have been fighting plans to build on green belt north of Daws Heath Road, Daws Heath, and near Waterside Farm and Castle View School on Canvey.

At the last minute Tory councillors voted unanimously to put off the decision .

Speaking at the meeting councillor Bill Dick said: “Why should we do the government’s dirty work by adding more misery?

“I can’t assist this government which is imposing these targets up on us.”

The sudden change, which was not included in the meeting’s agenda, comes a week after the council backtracked and scaled down plans to allow between 500 and 750 homes to be built north of Daws Heath Road, Daws Heath, following fierce opposition from residents.

The council will now carry out an eight-week public consultation beginning on January 9.

When this is complete, amendments may be made and councillors will vote on it again before it is sent to a government planning inspector for a final seal of approval.

Councillor Colin Riley, said: “This will allow residents and land owners to come forward for proper consultation and allow us to support our own Conservative Party policy.

“People power is working.”

But other councillors urged caution. Norman Smith, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “We are between a rock and a hard place.

“We have a Labour government insisting we put 5,000 homes in this borough with no infrastructure, no extra roads.

“We are debating amongst ourselves where we put them and it isn’t easy.

“But if we don’t come up with suggestions the inspector will overrule and we have a situation where we are told where the properties go and we don’t have any input.”

Councillor Godfrey Isaacs, who introduced the motion, said: “We have had more input in the last six weeks than in the last six years. With the help of the people and their input we will consult with residents to go forward and get the local plan that is right for this borough.”