PLANS to build 800 homes at Thorney Bay Caravan Park look set to be dropped because of safety fears over a nearby gas plant.

Canvey councillors say planning officers raised concerns over the proximity of the Calor gas plant off Thames Road during a behind-closed-doors meeting.

The caravan park, off Thorney Bay Road, was considered a possible site for new homes, as it is not in the green belt and would be subject to fewer planning restrictions.

Plans to build permanent homes there were first revealed by the Echo in June, but have now been described as “undeliverable” by a senior planner. Dave Blackwell, borough and town councillor and leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said: “We will now have to look carefully at the health and safety risks before any application is considered for Thorney Bay. It is extremely close to the potentially-explosive Calor plant, so we would have to make sure it was safe for people to live there.”

Fellow Canvey Independent councillor Neville Watson added: “It was obvious to me officers had accepted Thorney Bay could not be built on, because the risk is too great from Calor.”

Mum-of-two Amy Simmonds, 21, of Lincoln Way, Canvey, said: “I lived on the caravan park for two years. I used to think if the gas plant went up, we would be the first to go up as well.”

The un-named planning officer’s comments were made during a private meeting this week to discuss where thousands of new homes might be built over the next 15 years.

It is understood the idea of using the caravan park had previously enjoyed strong backing from planning officers, since it would have reduced pressure on green belt land elsewhere in the borough.

The council refused to comment officially on anything said at the meeting.

Jeff King, owner of the Thorney Bay site, said: “I wasn’t there and I don’t know what was said.”