BASILDON Council bosses are set to spend £25,000 on assessing a greenbelt site after plans for a hotel and bar faltered - with campaigners now fearing more homes are coming.

The council now wants consultants to undertake feasibility studies on land at Gibraltar Walk, Wickford.

It comes after Marston’s pulled the plug on its development plans to build on the site. It quoted a “lack of funds”.

Rival pub chain Wetherspoons is still interested in opening a new venue in the town, never-the-less the council is set to meet on Thursday to appoint consultants. The officers report states: “The site presents future development opportunities and it is proposed that specialist advisors are appointed to undertake a review of the site to identify future development options that would complement the regeneration of Wickford Town Centre.

“The site is an area of poor quality open space which is in need of improvement and this presents a fresh opportunity to consider future options for the site.

“Consideration is therefore needed as to how to now proceed with the site.”

But campaigners say the council must leave the open space alone, and make sure it’s not built on.

Yvonne Child, 65, editor of Wickford Save Open Space, said: “I think it’s really bad they are taking all our open space.

“We have not got much open space and we need it.

“I am worried about infrastructure with any development at this site and it is a very busy road.

“It seems the council just wants to create a concrete jungle and we don’t want that in Wickford.”

She said her group feels very passionate about keeping green space such as this.

She has urged residents to fight any future development at the site.

Marston’s pulled out after the campaign group created a petition against the plans.

After the pub’s announcement last month, Labour council leader Gavin Callaghan expressed his disappointment but called the news an “opportunity for potential investors”.