AN extra 600 caravans could be installed at Thorney Bay, a spokesman for the site has warned.

Jeff King, who owns the site off Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, wants to build a huge new housing estate.

Ian Butter, senior planning consultant for the scheme, said if Mr King doesn’t get planning permission for about 500 new permanent homes, he would instead look at expanding the number of caravans from 1,000 at present to about 1,600.

He was speaking at the Paddocks Community Centre, off Long Road Canvey, where a two-day exhibition was held on Thursday and Friday on the proposals for new houses.

Mr Butter said: “My client is at the point where he is thinking what he should do? Should he increase the capacity of the caravans to 1,600, or build houses?

“We are looking at about the 500 mark for new homes. In terms of the types of housing, it will be a fairly broad range from flats to semi and detached houses.”

About 50 people viewed the plans at the Paddocks last week.

Mr Butter added: “I would say there has been about a 50/50 split between the people I’ve shown around who were for and against the plans.

“This is one of the last major brownfield sites in the borough, which could be redeveloped for housing, which is potentially important considering the high level of local opposition to building on green belt,”

He explained if the scheme goes ahead at Thorney Bay, it could reduce the pressure to build on green belt sites across the borough.

Green belt is protected from potential housing or industrial development by strict laws.

However, the Government is considering relaxing those laws to help meet growing housing demand.

Brownfield locations are considered more suitable for new housing projects, as they have already been built on in the past.

Mr King would not need planning permission to install up to 600 new caravans at Thorney Bay.

Steven Cole, 37, of Jasmine Road, Canvey, said he would not support any development applications for the park.

“I think it’s disgusting that he’s threatening the council saying he’ll put on these extra caravans.

“It’s just all a joke. I’ll be objecting and lodging a lot more formal complaints.”

However, Mr King said: “It went quite well. A lot of people came out negative about our plans when they first arrived, but they came round to the idea once they heard what we are doing.”