CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow 5,000 new homes and create 2,500 jobs in Castle Point over the next 20 years will be voted on tonight.

But three of the borough’s leading councillors are legally barred from voting – because of personal or business interests in aspects of the plan.

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, veteran Canvey West Tory Ray Howard, and Hadleigh Tory Bill Sharp, a former planning committee chairman, will all be asked to leave the council chamber before the vote on Castle Point Council’s Core Strategy document. Among proposals in the strategy are plans for a 50-bed nursing home on the Garden World in Northwick Road, Canvey, which is owned by Mr Howard and managed by Mr Blackwell.

Mr Sharp is being excluded because he owns a property next to Castle View School, Canvey, where 50 new homes and a play area are proposed.

Mr Blackwell said: “I’m upset because it is through no fault of my own I have an interest which has robbed me of my right to vote and represent the people of Canvey. It’s the most important vote and will shape the future of Canvey. I have tried to get it overturned at the highest level, but those are the rules.”

Mr Sharp is backing residents who, the Echo revealed last week, successfully campaigned to block plans for between 500 and 750 homes on green belt land north of Daws Heath Road, Thundersley.

He said: “I’m happy to accept the code of conduct says I must not vote, but I will still be making a speech inthe chamber.”