BATTLE lines have been drawn over future housing in Shoebury, with fears 1,000 new homes could be built.

Southend Council is gearing up to publish its local plan in 2026, outlining plots of land for housing, employment and growth for decades to come.

However, residents have launched a campaign group fearing Shoebury could be unfairly targeted and overdevelopment could cause major problems for infrastructure.

Concerns have been raised over the Hinguar playing field in George Street and a large green space in Elm Road, with a number of other sites earmarked.

The draft plan was drawn up in 2021 but no final decision has been made on which sites will be included. Former councillor and Shoebury resident, Tricia Cowdrey said: “The infrastructure definitely could not cope with the potential numbers of new households.

“We’re already seeing increased surface flooding and sewage issues across the city. Our GP practices are diminishing in number and already bursting at the seams despite support from the Primary Care Network.

“Our hospital is being impacted and more and more patients diverted to Basildon or Broomfield where capacity is already scarce.”

The Hinguar playing field site has been earmarked for 16 homes, while Elm Road could take 300 homes.

A number of residential homes are also included in the plan. These include accommodation in Avon Way, Crouchmans in Centurion Close, Kestrel House in Eagle Way, Great Mead in Frobisher Way and Longmans in Rampart Terrace.

A business site in Terminal Close could accommodate 149 homes if re-designated under “employment release”. The Thorpedene campus is already earmarked for a possible 65 homes. Combined with two housing developments within the Garrison estate, it means 1,141 homes could potentially be built.

Anne Jones, councillor for planning and housing, said: “The process still has a long way ahead of it and no decision has been made on the allocation of any sites at this time.

“Part of the work we carry out is establishing what infrastructure would be required to support a proposed allocation. This is done through an Infrastructure Delivery Plan. We always seek to ensure allocations are supported by necessary infrastructure.”