CAMPAIGNERS have been given a reprieve in their fight against hundreds of homes after a political row erupted.

Basildon’s Green Action Group has been given more time to fight the Dry Street development after Ukip councillors pushed for part of Basildon town centre’s regeneration plans to be looked at again.

The plans include the market moving from Market Square to St Martin’s Square, and South Essex College moving to the former market site.

Proposals would also include the South Essex College site in Dry Street moving to the town centre, which in turnwould pave the way for 750 homes on the site and neighbouring wildlife haven.

However, a row erupted after Ukip councillors on the scrutiny committee challenged the decision to sign over land for 100 homes in Westside North. The issue was adjourned and a date for a decision is yet to be set.

Ukip leader Kerry Smith said: “It is all to do with the relocation of the college into the town centre and that links in to Dry Street. We want to put a spanner in the works.

“Scrutiny doesn’t have a lot of powers, but we can ask a lot of awkward questions.” Council officers warned it could be seen as unreasonable to refuse this part of the regeneration plans, but when asked about this, Mr Smith said it was unreasonable Billericay councillors had voted to build in Dry Street.

Leader of the council Phil Turner said: “If that is their tactic, it is outrageous.

“I am dumbfounded they can say to residents they are playing games.

“We thought the call-in was made legitimately. If they have done it to slow the process, that is something we haven’t seen before.”

He added the call-in, where councillors can challenge decisions, should have been about procedure, not about the decision itself.

Pat Roberts, action group treasurer, said she sat in the scrutiny meeting for three-anda- half hours.

She said: “The best outcome would be if it was refused, but I think that is very unlikely.

“Even if we delay, it will only delay it for days.”

The group is also looking at other ways to fight the development approval and has applied for a judicial review.