A six-week consultation opened yesterday on Basildon Council’s draft Local Plan, which identifies where homes, jobs and infrastructure could be delivered up to 2043. Andy Barnes, leader of Basildon Council, criticised the intervention, arguing it had reduced the opportunity for the Conservative administration, elected in May, to scrutinise the proposals. Say - Andy Barnes urged residents to engage in the consultation (Image: Basildon Council)“Instead, government has decided to bypass local councillors and residents, implementing their plan for 28,000 houses without any new infrastructure and concreting over acres of irreplaceable green belt. The plan also highlights continued growth in Basildon town centre, where developments already under construction are expected to provide more than 1,000 homes, including 492 apartments in Market Square. Residents wishing to take part in the consultation can do so through the council’s Commonplace engagement portal, available via the council website.