Calls for probe into 10,000 new homes plan

Councillors have called for an investigation after plans were revealed for 10,000 new homes on green belt land.

Southend and Rochford councils in Essex submitted a joint "expression of interest" to the government for the development of land off Bournes Green Chase, in Shoebury, to the River Roach, in Rochford.

However, local Reform UK and Conservative councillors have demanded a debate of the scheme at an extraordinary council meeting.

Leader of Labour-led Southend on Sea City Council, Daniel Cowan, said the councils were "happy" to have the debate.

The expression of interest was submitted to the government's New Towns Taskforce, which has been asked to make recommendations to ministers about the location and delivery of new towns.

Councils were invited to submit proposals that were "regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth" in November and December.

Southend and Rochford's joint submission, with landowners and developer Bellway, said it would be an "infrastructure-led" scheme which could begin as early as 2027, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The councils said the proposal was already being considered as part of the Local Plan process. They added that a similar submission was made by them, as well as Essex County Council, for the area to be considered a new Garden Community in 2018.

However, they noted "significant infrastructure would also be needed" if the proposal went ahead.

Reform UK councillors, Tony Cox and Darryl Jones along with Conservatives James Moyies and Daniel Nelson and Independent Stephen Aylen, said the proposal was made without their knowledge leading to their demand for a debate.

They also put forward a motion asking the chief executive to carry out a full investigation into the process.

Cox, leader of Southend Reform UK, said he was "horrified" by the proposal.

Moyies, councillor for West Shoebury Ward, added he was "shocked and appalled" and the "consequences" of the proposal could be "catastrophic".

Cowan said Labour were happy for a debate on the plans arguing that "Southend needs infrastructure".

He hit back at the Reform UK and Conservative councillors and added: "They will claim they are protecting our city, yet they want us to lose the only leverage we have to demand new infrastructure."

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