POLITICIANS of all parties united to object to up to 6,000 homes being built between Brentwood and Basildon.

The party leaders and election candidates backed members of the Residents Against Inappropriate Development, who held their fourth and final public meeting opposing plans for the Dunton Garden Suburb.

A consultation on the proposals, which ended on Monday, asked for residents’ views on plans to build between 4,000 and 6,000 homes to the west of Laindon, and the east of West Horndon.

The idea could also include new gypsy and traveller pitches, commercial, retail and leisure use, open space, access to local facilities and country parks, improvements to roads and a possible new train station.

Mike Le-Surf, leader of the Labour group on Brentwood Council and the party’s general election candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, said: “We do need to build homes for our families and children growing up, but it must be on brownfield sites first.

“We do need new towns, but we don’t need them in and around London. We don’t need them in the South East.”

Stephen Metcalfe, Tory MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, who was also among the 11 politicians to be questioned on the issue, said: “I am opposed to this development, no ifs and buts.

“I think it is wrong and it is in the wrong place. Let’s be clear, this is the wrong development, it can’t possibly go ahead.

“I’m confident those who will determine this will decide not to take it to the next step.

“My message is do not politicise these issues. We must fight these proposals and put them where they really belong, in the bin.”

Lib Dem Geoff Williams, who represents Nethermayne on Basildon Council, said: “Most of us probably thought Basildon new town had reached its western boundary and then suddenly we get Dunton Garden Suburb, and let me say from the outset I am unequivocally opposing it, it is a sprawl, an urban sprawl.”

Ukip parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Ian Luder, vowed to protect the green belt and believes creating a housing association would help allievate the Basildon Council housing waiting list.

For more information about the plans, visit basildon. gov.uk/dunton