Concerns have also been raised about the government’s decision to step in and direct the council to progress the plan. Concern - Mr McMurdock said green belt should not be reaped to meet demand (Image: James McMurdock)He said: “Basildon’s green belt should not be treated as an endless reserve of land for the government to build on. “We already clearly have serious pressures in the area on our roads, GP surgeries, schools, hospitals and other public services. Richard Holden, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, criticised the government’s intervention and raised concerns about the number of green belt sites included within the draft plan. He said: “I am appalled by the Labour government’s move to force Basildon Council to progress with the former Labour administration’s Local Plan, a plan with the majority of proposed sites being allocated on green belt land.