Twenty thousand new homes could be built in Thurrock over the next two decades as part of a new Local Plan.

Councillors said they had had a large response from the public to the first stage of consultation, which was discussed at Thursday's full council meeting.

Along with looking at ways to boost growth, the plan needs potential building sites to be identified.

Controversial responses in the report included neighbouring councils and developers asking Thurrock Council to consider “meeting the future housing needs of London and neighbouring South Essex local authorities.”

Thurrock Council was also asked to consider “making additional provision to meet Basildon’s unmet Gypsy and Traveller needs.”

The presentation provoked debate in the chamber about how housing needs were going to be met.

Councillor Gerard Rice said housing was “desperately needed” in the east of the borough to support DP World and the Port of Tilbury, which previously were not given enough land to expand.

He said: “There are some difficult decisions to be made. I was only told a few days ago Marks and Spencers pulled out of a project because of a lack of housing.

“We need to make sure DP World have the housing they are crying out for, even if that means releasing greenbelt.

“We don't want people coming from Harlow, Chelmsford, Bishop Stortford - we want them to live locally so they spend their money locally.”

Councillor John Kent raised concerns about other boroughs asking for land in Thurrock.

He said: “As yet no councils have approached the council to ask for Thurrock land to meet their unmet needs.

“Can we have reassurance the portfolio holder will defend the right of Thurrock people over the needs of people from other boroughs?”

Council Leader Rob Gledhill replied he was “really shocked” to see another borough asking for Thurrock land to help with their travellers’ pitches and he wished to allay their concerns.

He added: “It is the same with housing. Businesses will come if their workers are able to live locally.

“I can assure Councillor Kent neighbouring authorities will get due consideration in their requests but it may not be as much as they are wishing us to give.”

Councillor Jack Duffin said he didn’t think it was sensible to go forward into the planning process without a map of available brownfield sites being released.

Mr Duffin said: “If we are serious about building in Thurrock we should at least look at building on our brownfield sites.

“If this report goes forward as it is, there will be lots of building on greenfield sites, which seems to be a priority of this administration.”

Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Councillor Mark Coxshall said they would continue to do “more than the statutory requirements” in consulting people.

The Issues and Options consultation report marked stage 1 of the public consultation, which will continue for the next two years.

The current vision for the plan is for it to cover the growth of Thurrock up to 2036.

Further information is available from thurrock.gov.uk/localplan