Angry residents from Great Baddow stormed out of a meeting about proposed plans to use a local RSPCA shop as an animal hospital.

The meeting of the Chelmsford Council development control sub-committee had to be closed temporarily after upset locals marched out half-way through the councillors' discussions.

They approved plans to use a single storey of the shop in Maldon Road as a clinic that people on benefits can bring their animals to for free advice.

Recommendations that animals did not stay overnight and that the clinic is to be used for consultation only were also passed, which means should the animals need emergency care or operations they will have to be transported to a local veterinary surgery.

But residents in the area are up in arms about the plans because they say it is "illogical" and "dangerous."

More than 50 people attended the meeting at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, afterwards expressing their disappointment at the result.

They feel the site is already clogged with cars and having the hospital there will make it worse.

"The councillors say they can get a bus, but how are people on benefits going to be able to afford that if they are coming from all over the county?" said Joy James, of Leech Close.

"It won't be fair on the animals either, why bring them here if they are going to have to be taken to Danbury if they need emergency treatment?".

Landlady of the local pub, the King's Head, Sally Trigg, said she would not give up.

"It is illogical to have it here and dangerous, the road is busy enough for children without having animals everywhere - I am as much concerned as an animal lover as anything else."

Chairman, councillor Chris Rycroft, told the meeting she saw no reason to oppose the plan if RSPCA organisers could make sure people used the Vineyards car park and not the road to park.

The clinic will run for three mornings each week.

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