A decision to throw out a controversial scheme to build 77 new homes on a village site may be overturned, the Evening Gazette can reveal

Protestors celebrated three months ago when Tendring councillors rejected Barratt Eastern Counties' project for the Brickfield site in Una Road, Parkeston.

More than 400 people signed a petition against the plans and 30 cheered in the public gallery of the council's Weeley offices as they won the day.

But the company has appealed against the decision and at the same time has resubmitted its application, which will be looked at again on Tuesday.

The Evening Gazette has discovered the members of the planning sub-committee will be taken behind closed doors before the matter is discussed.

They will be told that having taken legal advice, their reasons for refusal would not stand up and the council could be faced with costs of up to £60,000 if they lost the appeal.

Tendring Council officers will advise councillors there is no sustainable reason for refusing the original plans.

Dave Kirkman, organiser of the campaign against the development, said protestors would be devastated if the decision was reversed.

"We will now have to rally the troops and turn out in force again on Tuesday," he said.

Peter Patrick, Tendring Council's portfolio holder for planning, said today he could not confirm or deny any of the matters due to be discussed in private on Tuesday.

Published Friday, June 6, 2003

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