Angry residents today vowed to fight plans for a new scouting centre on a Canvey playing field.

Islanders are worried about proposals for the building on King George V playing fields off Labworth Road which will be used by all the scout and guide groups in the Castle Point district.

However, scout leader Bradley Cox branded the residents "ignorant scaremongerers" and said the centre would be a bonus for the community.

Residents in surrounding streets are so concerned they have arranged a meeting with Canvey South Councillor, Terry Norman, tonight.

Roy Eaton, 55, of Blackthorne Road, said: "The parking is extremely poor around here. If the sea scouts use it, there will be huge vans coming up and down pulling canoes and blocking up our road. We've got to park somewhere.

"The fields are already used for a number of sports including football and netball. That is quite enough without having the scouts as well."

Dozens of letters have been sent to the council objecting to the plans and residents have set up a petition.

Councillors are due to discuss whether to give the go-ahead for the centre at a planning meeting next Tuesday.

Mr Eaton added: "Our biggest grievance is the size of the building. We were originally told it would be a single storey but now they are planning two.

"When I went to the council and saw the plans I could not believe it. The building is over 100ft long."

"Councillor Norman is coming to inspect the site tonight and we will put our argument to him, but if that doesn't work we will have to go one step higher and talk to local MP Christine Butler ."

Scout leader Bradley Cox, 37, said: "There are people who do not know what they are talking. It's just a few residents scaremongering.

"There will be no parking problems because children do not drive, there will be no boats because we use a separate area, and the building itself will be primarily one-storey and six metres tall.

"It will benefit the community and keep children off the streets. Would they rather have children smash up the place instead?"

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