MAJOR plans for three skyscrapers up to 17-storeys tall are set to be rejected as Tory chiefs insist they have “stuck to their word” in refusing high-rise buildings for Basildon’s town centre.

The development would see three tower blocks built between a minimum of nine storeys o a maximum of 17, which would feature a whopping 492 homes.

This would follow the demolition of the the Moon on the Square pub, Greggs and a Subway in Market Square.

The anticipated rejection next week will prompt an appeal from developers Orwell, after the plans were accepted in February.

This could cost Basildon Council £2million in legal fees and compensation to the developers.

Craig Rimmer, a senior Tory councillor of the Pitsea south east ward, said: “We’ve stuck to our word.

“We refused to give sign off to this plan, which is why it’s come to committee again. If it’s rejected, which will be likely, it will be the start of the appeal process.”

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This comes after residents are already “losing confidence” in the Tories, who had vowed to scrap plans for high rise tower blocks in the town centre.

The council approved plans for two 11-storey buildings, for 242 homes, last week.The Tories had been accused of “lying to Basildon.”

However, the party maintains residents accepted 12-storey blocks as part of the town’s consultation.

Davida Ademuyiwa, Tory councillor of the St Martin’s ward, said: “We definitely do need to have our town centre developed otherwise we will end up with the whole place dilapidated, we cannot afford to have that. We need to be careful to make sure that we can maintain a delicate eco system of retail, office, community and green spaces, and homes. A 17-storey building in our town centre will be a disaster.”

Documents at Wednesday’s planning committee meeting, produced by head of planning Christine Lyons, offers options of either approval, with agreements for funding into highways and education schemes, or outright rejection.

The council officers’ recommendation is to approve the application.