FEARS are growing that two cherished green spaces in Shoebury - including an old school playing field - could be built on to help Southend hit housing targets.

During a Southend Council full council meeting, former Kursaal councillor and Shoebury resident Tricia Cowdrey said there had been “conflicting claims” about the old Hinguar School playing field, on George Street, and the former football field, on Elm Road.

Both sites are owned by Southend Council and were previously declared safe from development, but during the meeting Anne Jones, Labour councillor responsible for planning, said they would be considered as part of preparation for the council’s next local plan.

Despite being “promoted” for development, Ms Jones insisted “no decisions have been made”.

Mrs Cowdrey said: “This is a real area of concern for our residents. Both sites are public spaces which should be used for public benefit. The local residents association believe they should be put back to public use. Particularly the old Hinguar school playing field which has been locked for many years and we have been trying to get more information about the covenant placed on this land.”

The former councillor, who unsuccessfully ran as an independent candidate in Shoebury at the last election, raised concerns about the number of homes already being built in Shoebury.

Construction on 70 homes at the former Cantel medical centre site is underway, while 214 homes are set to be build on land off Barge Pier Road.

Ms Cowdrey added: “We already have two very controversial developments, which will bring hundreds of new residents, overwhelming our health services, schools, and roads, and potentially cause more flooding and water displacement around Shoebury.

“We would like to see this land used for children’s playground, pocket woods, or orchards rather than continue to over overdevelopment of Shoebury.”

Responding in the meeting, Ms Jones said: “A new Southend local plan is being prepared that will review and update the council’s adopted development plan.

“The emerging local plan is being prepared for a further stage of public consultation, in line with relevant regulations.

“No decisions have been made at this time, from a local plan perspective, on proposed development sites or allocations (including both sites).”