BUSINESSMAN Jeff King will submit an outline planning application to build hundreds of homes in Thorney Bay in a matter of weeks.

A public consultation has been launched on the plans for the holiday and residential park, off Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, which is filled with 1,000 caravans.

This comes just two months after a senior Castle Point Council planning officer said he did not think it would be possible for homes to be built on the site within the next five years.

Residents will get a chance to have their say on the outline plans, which will be presented in community consultation sessions at the Paddocks community hall, in Long Road, Canvey.

Mr King said at least two representatives from Thorney Bay Park, including Canvey architect Cliff Burry, will be on hand to answer questions.

He added: “Hopefully it will go well, because it’s something we have to do.

“Our site isn’t green belt. People want to save the green belt, so there’s a lot of people backing it.

“But there’s also people who aren’t for it.”

It is expected the application will be considered by councillors in March next year.

Plans include duplexes, flats and homes, as well as assisted living and nursing home accommodation.

Mr King would not go into details about housing numbers, saying that would be revealed in future detailed plans.

He said: “You’ve got to remember this is the outline planning and it is to be negotiated after discussions with the council.”

Previous reports have indicated there could be up to 800 new homes on the site.

Mr King added: “We wouldn’t be wasting our time and money if we didn’t think it would go ahead.

“This isn’t just us all of a sudden thinking we can do it. We’re hopeful we can do it in quite a fast time.”

The consultation at the Paddocks will be on Thursday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Friday, from 10.30am to 8.30pm.

Details are also available at http://www.ruralurbanplanning.co.uk/ThorneyBayPark-Consultation Leaflet.pdf