A law professor has blasted planners' handling of proposals to build 24 homes on the corner of his street - and called for an investigation.

Sir Nigel Rodley KBE, chair of Essex University's human rights centre, was speaking at Colchester Council's planning committee meeting on Thursday night.

He condemned officials for failing to take account of objections to the JDS Residential scheme, which would see a house near his own in Meyrick Crescent demolished alongside three in Mersea Road to make way for flats.

And he claimed outline plans passed in July had been smuggled through before residents had the chance to see them.

Members voted to defer approving the full application.

Chairman Christopher Garnett said if the firm would agree to lower the roof-height of the block by just over 1ft, officers would be instructed to give them the immediate green light.

After closing the meeting, he told councillors careful consideration should be given in future to the handling of outline applications.

Published Monday, January 24, 2005

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