Developers are using a loophole to take planners for a ride, it has been claimed.
Colchester councillor Anne Turrell said firms were luring the authority into agreeing applications by promising cheap housing which never materialised.
Under council policy, 25 per cent of homes in developments made up of 25 homes or more must be affordable properties for less well-off families.
But companies are free to build 24 homes at a time without making any such commitment.
At a planning committee meeting last night, Cllr Turrell (Lib Dem, Mile End) said that in several cases firms had escaped the obligation by dropping one house from their plans after obtaining initial consent.
She said: "It is happening all throughout Colchester and I think we need to review our policy."
The committee had been discussing an outline plan for the former Cowie site in Boxted Road, Myland, where 25 homes had been proposed.
Councillors heard they had no power to order the applicant, bus company Arriva, to stay above the cut-off point.
But councillors agreed that the policy be looked at.
Published Friday August 6, 2004
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