Plans by the Government to build thousands of extra homes in south Essex have been rapped by Castle Point MP Bob Spink.

In a Commons debate, he said he was against the plans because there had been no promise of the necessary infrastructure.

Such housing would place a big burden on roads, schools, and sewerage plants in south Essex and would "destroy" green belt land, he told MPs.

"Essex people do not want to be regionalised. They are proud people who identify closely and warmly with their local communities," he said.

Mr Spink spoke highly of Castle Point, citing Hadleigh Castle, Benfleet conservation area, ninth-century St Mary's Church, Canvey seafront and the woods and wildlife in Thundersley as examples of its beauty.

Published Thursday, May 1, 2003

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