RESIDENTS opposing proposals for hundreds of homes at Thorney Bay plan to launch a campaign against the development.

They are concerned about plans to develop the site, off Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, by building 500 permanent homes or installing an additional 600 caravans.

People living near the site worry Canvey’s roads and public services won’t be able to cope with the influx of thousands of extra residents.

Steven Cole, 37, of Jasmine Court, Canvey, said several local residents shared a range of concerns about the development and are considering starting up a petition to spearhead their campaign.

He said: “What benefits are we, the residents, going to get from this?

“The average home would have at least one car and it’s difficult enough as it is getting off the island without extra cars trying to do the journey.

“We’ve only got a part-time fire crew now, so it’ll put a worrying strain on the fire service.

“Where would all the children go to school, and how would the doctors’ surgeries cope?

“There are a lot of unanswered questions.”

Les Henderson, 57, of Wellbeck Road, Canvey, said: “I don’t think many local people would want to see that site being developed further, as I don’t see how Canvey could cope with all the extra people.

“We’d need to see schools, roads and medical services improved if it’s going to work.”

Jeff King, who owns the caravan site, held a two-day exhibition to inform the public about his plans for 500 homes, ranging from flats to detached houses, last week.

About 50 people viewed the plans.

Afterwards, Mr King said many of the visitors who turned up at the exhibition with negative views left feeling positive after hearing more about the development.

If the planning application for 500 homes is unsuccessful, Mr King says he would consider expanding the number of caravans from 1,000 to 1,600 instead.