A petition to stop 280 new homes from being built of a plot of marshland has reached 700 signatures.

The petition, which was set up on Friday, December 15, is calling for Thurrock Council to reject a planning application, which was submitted on Tuesday, December 5, to build 280 residential homes across more than 13 hectares of land on the Little Thurrock Marshes in Thurrock Park.

It was started by the Thurrock Park Residents’ Committee who argue that the land where the homes are proposed to be built is prone to flooding and is on the greenbelt.

Chair of the Thurrock Park Residents’ Committee, Tony Coughlin, has argued that the application is very similar to one which was rejected by Thurrock Council in the summer of last year.

He said: "This is greenbelt land and it's on a flood plain.

"Why they want to build on a plot of land that is prone to flooding, I don't know.

"The application they have put forward this time is on the same land and the same road - it's basically a duplicate application.

"It's becoming a bit like a never ending referendum because they lost last year's vote but they seem to keep coming back.

"Clearly they don't believe in democracy."

According to Thurrock Council's planning portal, the application has been submitted by Grade Planning.

A spokesperson for the developer said:“The privately owned land, which has previously had planning consent for employment uses, is a logical and sustainable location to provide up to 280 new family homes for the Borough. 

“The plans also include a community facility, attractive green space, new pedestrian links and children’s play spaces.  

“We have reviewed previous feedback from all interested parties and the local community on issues such as landscaping, flooding and drainage, traffic and impact on existing services and worked hard to address outstanding concerns through our technical work”.

The application will be determined by Wednesday, March 7.