A DECISION on controversial plans to bring 172 homes to a Shoebury flood plain has been postponed for the third time.

Garrison Developments Limited’s proposal to turn old Gunners Park, off New Barge Pier Road and Ness Road, into 172 homes and offices was deferred in November. It has now been dropped from Southend Council’s development control committee meeting next week.

The Echo understands this is because planning officers are awaiting extra information on the site from Natural England, which is speaking to the developers, but campaigners claim the series of delays show there are major issues with the suitability of the site.

Nigel Outten, 67, of Admiral’s Walk, Shoebury, said: “It’s insane to be considering building houses here. This cannot go ahead.

“The delays show the site is wholly inadequate for homes. If you drive up there it’s like marshland.

“It acts as a sponge for rainwater and by concreting over it, you’ll lose that.”

Mr Outten argues the land would be better suited as green space, and said Southend Council should buy it and use the area for environmental studies, in conjunction with Essex University.

However, Garrison Developments owns the land and already has outline planning permission to develop the site for commercial property.

The Environment Agency has stipulated if permission is given for the homes, work should only start when a new Shoebury seawall is erected.

Southend Council says that is now unlikely to happen until early 2018, but the developer told the Echo in of the new timescale and it was a “long term”

investor into the borough.

Councillors opposed to the application claim the site’s issues have nothing to do with seawater, but rather that the area acts as a conduit for rainwater.

Ukip’s James Moyies, who represents West Shoebury, requested a deferral on the application.

He said: “I oppose building on flood plains in principle and I also believe the increased risk of flooding to the surrounding area is not acceptable.

“In addition, we do not have the necessary infrastructure to support this development.”

It is now thought a decision could be reached on the application at the March or May development control committee meetings.