The authority is being urged to retract its submission of interest for a new town with 10,000 homes around West Horndon and the edges of Basildon, Thurrock, and Brentwood.
The council’s submission of interest in the project comes just as Rochford Borough Council pulled its support for a similar project for a new town between Southend-on-Sea and Shoeburyness.
Both plans follow a call for locations by the government’s New Towns Taskforce, which was set up to find and advise ministers on appropriate locations for large-scale housing projects.
Brentwood Borough Council has already given the go-ahead to another project — the Dunton Hills Garden Village — which is due to have at least 3,700 homes.
New plans submitted to the borough council by developers Horndon St Marys LLP also suggest that around 2,100 homes could be built on Essex green belt land near West Horndon train station.
The issue surrounding the new town in West Horndon will be discussed publicly in Brentwood for the first time at a full council meeting next month.
When it was made in December 2024, the submission of interest was discussed with council leader Barry Aspinell.
The council has added that briefings were given to the wider administration and opposition leaders “several months ago”.
Councillor Will Russell, leader of the Tory group at Brentwood Borough Council, said he first heard of it in a private meeting in March.
He said: “Whether you’re proud of it or against it, the main thing we can surely all agree on is that we go through a democratic process that is transparent, everyone knows about it, and we go through the committee system.”
A Tory motion, which will be debated at the July meeting, urges the withdrawal of the plans, which they say include a proposed minimum of 10,000 homes in addition to the 14,000 homes already allocated for the local development plan set by the government.
The motion said: “Such a significant decision should have involved the full council, with all members being informed. Unfortunately, the Conservative group was only made aware of this matter some weeks ago.
“In the absence of information, we conducted our own fact-finding and discovered that the proposed minimum of 10,000 homes is in addition to the 14,000 homes already allocated for our local development plan by the Government.
“As Conservatives we understand the need for new homes for our growing domestic population here in Brentwood, which is why we engage in our local development plan to manage the growth of our borough.
“However, after careful consideration and consultation with community stakeholders, establishing a new town on green belt land is not in the best interest of our residents or the environment.”
The development is being promoted by Iceni Projects – the same organisation behind the plans between Southend and Rochford.
MORE NEWS: Drone photos capture construction works underway at Upminster Travelodge site
In its promotional material, Iceni said: “Located on the borough boundary between Thurrock and Brentwood, West Horndon is a green belt site served by a currently underutilised train station with direct links to London, Basildon and Southend.
“Iceni Engagement developed and continues to lead on a complex stakeholder engagement strategy to promote the site, across political boundaries and with varied stakeholder groups.
“With the potential to deliver up to 10,000 homes, employment uses, and social infrastructure, West Horndon will unlock previously undervalued infrastructure connections, drive forward greater, varied economic growth for the region.”
A spokesperson for Brentwood Borough Council said, “Brentwood Council, Thurrock Council, Basildon Council, and Essex County Council submitted a joint expression of interest around the possibility and feasibility of a new town that could be partly based in all four local authority areas.
“The council would prefer to see any possible development progress comprehensively rather than in a piecemeal manner introduced by private landowners, which could occur without taking a comprehensive approach to the infrastructure and community facilities needed.
“A submission was made in December 2024 following the New Towns Taskforce call for evidence to explore opportunities for significant developments.
“The council expects large-scale development in the area to be supported by timely infrastructure investment and delivery.
“Any submission would be conditional on being included within the targets for housing development set by the government.
“Any future development proposals will be subject to normal planning processes. These include detailed consultation, extensive engagement with local communities and stakeholders, and councillor votes at relevant committees.
“The submission was discussed with the leader of the council when it was made, and briefings were given to the wider administration and opposition leaders several months ago.
“It is also on the agenda for the next meeting of the full council in July.”
