PLANS to radically transform Canvey have stalled because opposition councillors felt they included too many homes.

Members of Castle Point Council’s special policy development group were asked to recommend the £100million masterplan be formally adopted by the cabinet as the planning strategy for Canvey town centre.

However, opposition councillors voted to postpone the decision as they felt their views were being ignored.

They requested a limit of 250 extra homes to be included in the regeneration plan for the town centre, whereas it still suggests up to 400, which they fear would lead to too much congestion.

The plan does not include plans to permanently pedestrianise the town centre.

Residents who took part in the consultation process supported the idea for a section of Furtherwick Road, between Waarden Road and Lionel Road, to be completely closed to traffic.

Peter May, from the Canvey Independent Party, said: “At the end of the day this is a once in a life time opportunity and we want to make sure we get it right.

“We have argued all along that 400 homes are too many, but the council officers are not listening.”

Councillors expressed frustration they have not had face-to-face consultation meetings with local traders and residents as happened in Hadleigh.

John Anderson, also from the Canvey Independent Party, said: “We all want this regeneration to happen and it has been kicked about for so long, but we need to speak to traders and residents directly to find out what they really want.”

Steve Rogers, head of regeneration at Castle Point Council, said: “The masterplan is essentially a vision.

“We are inviting the adoption of the masterplan as supplementary planning guidance, either as it is, or with certain caveats or conditions, or not at all.”

The plan includes proposals to revive run-down shops, create tree-line public pathways, better links between the town centre and Canvey Lake, and introduce two-way traffic and on-street parking in the town.