CAMPAIGNERS have lost their battle to stop 519 houses being built on parkland.

Council chiefs passed the controversial plans for Gloucester Park, Basildon, during a heated meeting at the Towngate Theatre.

About 60 residents, who want the park to be preserved as green space, held a protest before the meeting. One campaigner was even thrown out of the theatre by security guards for continuously heckling.

Basildon Council’s development control and traffic management committee passed the plans, entered by developer Barratt Wilson Bowden, despite some eleventh-hour pleas to the committee.

Andrew Buxton, 41, of Roodegate, who has led the residents’ campaign, said: “If you do pass this you’re going to have blood on your hands, and future generations won’t be able to enjoy the park – it’s a travesty.”

Many campaigners were angry the land is being sold to fund the £38million Sporting Village, also in Gloucester Park.

John Winslow, 59, of Little Lullaway, Lee Chapel North, said: “This is about the sale of assets held in trust for the people of Basildon so others can make a profit.”

Penny Wright’s passionate speech was greeted with a standing ovation from some of the audience.

She said: “You have to steal our parks to pay for the Sporting Village – this park is an open space. It’s the lungs of Basildon.”

Peter Biggs, representing the developer, told the meeting the park would be enhanced with a new lake, play area and better lighting.

He said: “We believe we’ve risen to the challenge that’s been set by the council and created a high-quality scheme.”

Mr Biggs’ speech was booed by some of the audience, while protester Steve Waters was thrown out of the meeting for shouting out while the committee was speaking.

Mr Waters, who created the Basildon puppet Old Man Stan, refused to leave the theatre and had to be physically removed by two security guards.

Moments later, committee chairman Stephen Hillier threatened to throw the whole audience out because people were hissing and calling out.

During the committee’s debate, Mr Hillier said he could see no planning reason to reject the application because the organisations consulted – including the health authority, education authority and Sport England – didn’t find the developments were detrimental to their interests.

Fellow committee member Sandra Hillier said: “We’ve got to balance what we’ve got in front of us with the need for homes for people.”