CANVEY residents are worries that a popular open space will be sold to developers.

The field, in Beveland Road, Canvey, is a haven for dog walkers and children, but Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, fears Castle Point Council plans to sell it.

He said: “I’ve had residents on to me and I’ve seen guys down there – there’s been a lot of activity with people measuring it up.

“We are very nervous and it is looking like the council is looking to offload some of its assets.

People know the land is vulnerable.

“We were trying to get it named George Pickett Open Space, after a former councillor, and I’ve sent countless emails about it.

“But residents say council workmen in yellow coats have been down to measure.”

However, a Castle Point Council spokeswoman insisted there were no plans to sell the Beveland Road open space and no proposals to sell off other open spaces in the borough.

Despite the council’s assurances, Mr Blackwell said he would take the matter further and would continue to campaign for the land to be protected and renamed after the late George Pickett.

He said: “I’m going to put a motion for the council not to sell off any open space.

“It’s a big worry. These areas make the community greener, instead of it being a concrete jungle.”

People living near the Beveland Road field say developers have been after the land for years.

Ray Norcott, 66, has lived in the road for 20 years.

He said: “We haven’t got much land left here any more and the children play on here with football.

“It would be a shame to see it go. We always get flooded. It’s only got to start raining and it floods.

“If they put new homes in now, it would flood. The infrastructure can’t cope, it wouldn’t be able to take it.”

PLANS for four large homes on Canvey have been approved, despite residents objecting to the proposals.

Officers at Castle Point Council approved plans for two, five-bedroom, three storey houses and two, four-bedroom houses on a plot in Bommel Road.

Three previous applications for the site have been refused, but officers decided to allow the latest plans, which residents believe will impact neighbours’ privacy, traffic and flood risks.

Cheri Stokes, 46, of Bommel Road, said: “I don’t understand why it’s gone through now.

“We’ve had horrendous flooding down this end of the island.

This isn’t just one bungalow, it’s four massive houses – and that is a lot of concrete.”

The Environment Agency initally objected to the homes on flood-risk grounds, but later dropped its objection.

Mrs Stokes said: “The whole point of moving down to this area of the island is the view and now it will be obstructed.

“I can’t see how they have resolved the flooding problem.

We were flooded and there is lots of green down here, but it is now going to be concreted over.

I’m flabbergasted it’s gone through.”

Officers approved the plans, with conditions – including details of the surface water drainage – to be approved by the planning authority.