PLANS for 47 homes on green belt land in Benfleet are set to get the green light amid fears the area is "a target for developers". 

Foxberry Developments is proposing to build new homes on land in between Chase Mews and the Chase, in Benfleet, and Castle Point Council's planning committee has been recommended to approve the plan next week. 

It is the latest in a long-line of applications for green belt land in Castle Point and it is feared a lack of local plan for home building could result in the plan being approved on appeal even if the council rejects it. 

The borough's local plan, initially drawn up by the Tory administration, was withdrawn when Independent parties took control of the council in May 2022 after they raised major concerns about green belt land being included in proposed sites. 

Warren Gibson, People's Indepedent Party deputy leader of Castle Point Council: “Unfortunately past planning decisions, which allowed building on adjacent land, and the inclusion of this site alongside other green belt land in the withdrawn local plan left our community extremely vulnerable and painted a target for developers here.”

Recent plans for the green belt in Castle Point have included 173 homes at Brooks Farm in Daws Heath, 49 homes on green belt on Felstead Road, Benfleet and proposals for 455-homes in Daws Heath.

Former Tory borough councillor, Jacqui Thornton, pointed the finger at the People's Independent Party and Canvey Independent Party, which make up the administration, for removing the local plan.  She said: “I have been on committees that have rejected application like this so I am extremely disappointed that this development has been recommended for approval.

“These kinds of plans have been refused earlier because of the green belt but even if this one is rejected, it could still be approved after an appeal because of the recommendation.

“We could have been saved from this if we didn’t get rid of the local plan, but they took a risk and now we are in this awful situation. 

“Hopefully this can be won even if it goes to appeal. It’s in the hands of the Gods now.”

The development management committee is set to make the final decision on the plans at a meeting on Thursday, 25 June.