PLANS to build 275 homes on Canvey's Dutch Village should not go ahead due to flood risk, the Environment Agency has warned.

It has has objected to the scheme because the homes would be in a flood-risk zone.

Persimmon Homes wants to build on land off Limburg Road, part of which is used as a playing field by families and youngsters.

More than 150 islanders have lodged objections to the planning application after a campaign by councillors and Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris.

Canvey town councillor Jay Blissett said: “The dykes all around the site takealot of water, so there is a definite flood issue there .

“It is very important to defend our little bit of green belt.

“I do feel it needs preserving, as it is the only free park we have for children to play on at this end of the island.

”The Environment Agency indicated its opposition to the proposal to Castle Point Council.

Planning adviser Lizzie Griffiths said: “Our maps show the site lies within tidal flood zone three, the high probability zone.

“Although Canvey is defended to a high standard of protection, it is at risk should there be a flood defence failure.

“Although the likelihood of it occurring is low, the consequences, should it happen, would be very high.”

Miss Griffiths has advised the council the development does not currently meet the requirements of planning guidance for flood defence.

She has called on the developers to take further steps to reduce flood risk before the proposal can be deemed acceptable .

MP Rebecca Harris has led opposition to the Dutch Village development, calling on residents to write objection letters.

Mrs Harris believes the land should be protected and has also stated flooding and traffic problems should mean the area is not built on.

A resident in Dyke Crescent, Canvey, who has objected to the proposal, told of the difficulty of getting into their turning, saying it was “completely blocked’’ at rush hour, during an event or roadworks.

The resident added: “Also one of the attractions to moving into Dyke Crescent was the green, open space of the fields. The island needs money spent on updating the roads, streetlights, drainage and another route on and off the island, not cramming more and more people on.”

A public consultation on the planning application ends this week.

To date, there have been 153 objections and no support comments submitted. A decision on the application is expected in October .