Plans for affordable housing in South Essex have been scrapped, despite the "critical situation" around lower-priced homes.

Bellway Homes has been given the go-ahead to remove 21 affordable homes from the plans for 47 properties at Maitland Lodge, Southend Road, Great Burstead – near Billericay.

Basildon Borough Council's planning committee agreed the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, 28 January, prompting residents to claim it "makes a mockery of the planning system."

One resident, Deborah Taylor, said: "I consider a dereliction of duty of the planning officers and planning committee to recommend this for approval, as to do so would mean neither are acting in the best interest of residents, but rather the best interest of Bellway Homes. We cannot allow them to put more pressure on our already stretched infrastructure and services and not give anything back to the community."

In November 2022, the Planning Inspectorate agreed the plans for the development at an appeal. The developer offered to pay the council £1.047 million instead of providing the affordable homes.

During the ruling in November 2022, Owen Woodwards, Planning Inspector, referred to affordable housing building in the borough as "the critical situation regarding affordable housing delivery in the borough."

The meeting heard the council had made an offer for the proposed affordable properties, but it was not considered to be enough. The committee was also told that the planning permission was granted partly due to the proposed cheaper homes being included.

A representative from the developer said there have been no offers or viable offers for the affordable housing. He blamed the number of affordable homes proposed and the ongoing issues around affordable homes.

He added: "This is not a unique issue in Basildon, Bellway is dealing with a number of issues across the south east and the country, particularly on smaller sites and lack of registered providers interest."