A PETITION against a proposed travellers’ site has received 175 signatures from Castle Point residents, with MP Rebecca Harris joining the campaign.

Michael Dixon has been collecting signatures to present to the council in hope they will reject the application for stationing caravans on land near Keswick Road and Windemere Road, Benfleet.

In 2017, there were similar plans submitted for this same site, which the council refused as it is green belt land.

Mr Dixon, from Benfleet, insisted the land should not be built on and that they will continue to “stand their ground”, while Castle Point MP Mrs Harris joined him as he collected signatures.

He said: “It is Green Belt, and it should not be built on.

“It is not in the council’s draft local plan for this site to be developed and nor should it be.

“Residents feel very strongly that this land needs to be preserved as green field land.

“I urge our local representatives on the council to stand their ground, listen to the residents as they have before and reject this application.”

The proposal is “changing the use of land for stationing of caravans for residential purposes, together with hardstanding and utility/dayroom ancillary to that use”.

Mrs Harris said: “A number of residents contacted me about it, and I was happy to help collect names for the petition and raise awareness with local activist Mr Dixon.

“The site is Green Belt and has had a similar application rejected a few years ago on this basis and it should be rejected on the same basis again”.

Councillor Nikki Drogman said she will ensure resident’s views are heard.

She said: “I am completely opposed to this application.

“I am pleased so many of our residents have made their views known by signing the petition objecting to it.

“I will ensure resident’s views are heard.

The proposal will include a static caravan, mobile home, utility room and space for parking for two vehicles.

The detached utility building comprises a kitchen and dayroom, together with a large bathroom.