Protesters caused chaos and brought a planning meeting to a standstill as they battled against plans for a development of 77 new homes on a controversial village site.

One woman was asked to leave the Tendring Council chamber at Weeley by police last night after she confronted councillors during the debate.

The meeting also had to be adjourned due to constant heckling and shouting from the public gallery.

Barratt Eastern Counties put in the application for homes on the former Brickfield site in Una Road, Parkeston, after a previous scheme had been rejected by councillors.

The company has also appealed against that decision.

The new plans have a slight change - with more flats to replace houses - and were given the green light by 11 votes to four after a two-hour discussion.

That brought slow hand clapping and jeering from the protesters who vowed to continue their fight.

"You have not heard that last of us - we will be back, and back," said John Tipple.

They were also angry councillors went into private before the start of the meeting to discuss a number of issues.

Dave Kirkman, who spoke for the protesters, asked to have his objection to that put on record.

He also said the residents were concerned about traffic and the safety of children in the streets from the increase in vehicles.

There was also concern about the closeness of the Carless oil refinery.

That was shared by Mark De Roy (Liberal Democrat, Bradfield, Wrabness and Wix) who said he was far from convinced over public health and the fact the rail head where the oil is loaded will be just 120 metres from homes.

But Peter Patrick (Ind, Brightlingsea) said outline permission for housing had already been granted in 2002 and there were no planning grounds on which to sustain an objection to it

Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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