BASILDON’S 27,000-home draft local plan will go out to consultation with residents despite fears it will have a major impact on traffic, GPs and schools.

Councillors voted to move to the next stage of the plan for new homes over the next 20 years on Thursday night, despite the Tory opposition attempting to block the move over infrastructure fears.

The 27,111-home draft plan, including 16,928 potential homes on the green belt, will now go to consultation this week as residents are asked to give their views on potential sites.

Basildon’s Labour-led administration pushed through the vote stating plans for new infrastructure would be drawn up, despite concerns from Tory councillors and residents that new roads, GPs and schools were not included in the draft proposal.

Burstead ward Tory councillor, Richard Moore, said: “The day-to-day impact on the infrastructure itself will be significant. My residents are already suffering, and things will only get worse. The key junctions around Billericay are already a nightmare at rush hour, and this plan will make this sort of traffic the norm in our borough”.

Under the Labour Government the housebuilding target has risen to 27,111 and sites in the plan include space for roughly 4,220 homes in Wickford 4,170 homes in Billericay.

“When the plan was first brought to the council it was estimated to be around 15,000 new homes, that’s now gone to 27,000 without any justification,” said Conservative councillor for Billericay, Andy Barnes.

“I would’ve preferred them to look at the actual need opposed to simply implementing the targets plucked from thin air by central Government.”

Kevin Blake, Conservative councillor for Burstead, echoed the concerns of Mr Barnes and said that in order for him to support the Local Plan “the house building target would have to be reduced to the original 15,000 figure”.

At Thursday night’s meeting, Labour’s deputy leader of Basildon Council Adele Brown said: “We have heard what many councillors think and feel about this plan. We’ve heard that some councillors feel there are not policies in it that reflect infrastructure, employment or affordable homes.

“I would say, go away and read the documents, read the policies that are there – they do exist.

“I would say to all residents, now is your opportunity to show us. Go forward, read the consultation and be part of that consultation”.