Gazette 3 October 2007, David Arnold

Planning protestors have been accused of "scaremongering" the people of Wickford by the leader of Basildon Council. Cllr Malcolm Buckley has hit back at claims made by the Wickford Action Group that residents have been duped into supporting the £100million masterplan for the area.

The independent, non-political action group campaigns against the overdevelopment of Wickford.

But Cllr Buckley says the town needs regenerating quickly as it is in a spiral of decline.

"This group is living in cloud cuckoo land and is scaremongering without doubt.

"The group is also trying to get all the Conservative councillors voted off the council and has got an ulterior motive.

"I have lived in Wickford all my life and want to see it prosper but it is in decline at the moment."

Just under 200 angry residents crammed into a Wickford Action Group meeting last week and voted against the 'new' masterplan.

They said the original - which included promises of tree-lined squares, a revamped, attractive River Crouch with a raised water level and better amenities - had failed to materialise.

Outraged locals also claim the original 490 new homes they had voted for was now closer to 600 and were upset their new swimming pool will take a further 18 months to complete.

Action group member John Rushton said: "High-rise buildings are going to be built in the town centre. We have 351 flats already approved and not one of the grand, improved, facilities that we have been promised will be provided by then.

"Is it any wonder that we feel let down by our councillors and feel we can't trust them?"

Cllr Buckley couldn't give assurances that extra school places would be available for children moving into the area but did say rumours concerning the development of the Wickford school playground for more housing  were wide of the mark.

"The number of children moving into flats generally is low but that is something we are aware of. I haven't heard anything about selling off this school land for housing."