Plans to build nurses' homes on a greenfield site in Basildon have provoked protests from an MP and conservationists.
The Thames Gateway initiative has confirmed the development will be on land in Dry Street, near Basildon Hospital.
It would be the only greenfield site in south Essex to be developed by the body, which is concentrating on brownfield sites for thousands of new homes.
John Baron, MP for Billericay and District, said: "I think this Trojan Horse is yet another way of bypassing local people's wishes. It's another threat to our greenfield sites and local people should be very worried.
"My surgeries are full of people saying there aren't enough police officers on the street, they can't get their kids in local schools, there are not enough GPs and dentists.
"If more houses are forced on local communities then this will add to the pressure."
The Thames Gateway was one of four areas identified by the Government for the development of affordable housing to help key workers.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) feels it has to battle with developers to protect greenfield sites, despite backing the Government's proposals for urban regeneration.
Nigel Kersey, the Thames Gateway Project Leader for CPRE said: "We realise nurses, probably more than anyone, need housing but there is no reason why the development has to be right next to the hospital on a greenfield site."
Published Monday August 2, 2004
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