Basildon Labour has submitted an emergency motion about delays to the future housing plan in the town.

The Tories in Basildon last night voted to not build 300 houses in Billericay as part of the local housing plan.

Labour has criticised the Tories for voting to change the local plan, which had been agreed under the previous Labour-led administration, as it fears the government may now interfere in the housing provision in the town, giving local people less say in where and how many houses are built.

The group has submitted an emergency motion which will be discussed at the full council meeting tonight.

Adele Brown, leader of the Basildon Labour Group, said: “Full council will not meet again until October after our meeting tonight.

"The release of the new figures could have serious consequences for our borough and all councillors need to understand the potential impacts.

"We cannot wait for 3 months, by which point we would have only 3 months left to meet the governments timetable.

"Given the proposed delays by the Basildon Conservatives to publishing our Local Development Scheme we need assurances that the Ministry of Homes, Communities and Local Government have given Basildon Council an exemption from the new framework rules even if we cannot publish our Local Plan within 6 months from 24 July 2018.

"Hence why we are calling for a formal letter to be sent to all councillors outlining the councils position followed by an all member briefing with our planning officers and government officials.

"We are calling on the Conservatives to allow this motion to be debated tonight and for the recommendations we are requesting to be put in place.”