A POLITICAL group has called for Maldon District Council’s leader to step down after plans to build more than 1,100 homes were thrown out.

Richard Perry, of the Heybridge Independent Group, has accused council leader Adrian Fluker of “whipping” his Tory councillors into passing controversial plans to build 1,138 houses on land near to Broad Street Green in Heybridge The plans had been recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers but were initially backed by Mr Fluker.

However, refusal appeared certain after a representative from Essex County Council said its plans to combat surface water drainage on the site had not been completed.

Mr Fluker retracted his recommendation, saying: “Based on what we have just been told, I’m very sorry but I am very uncomfortable with this.

“We’ve heard this isn’t unusual for the flood authority, but it staggers me they are asking us to approve something without all the information.”

Mr Perry claimed Mr Fluker had “demonstrated a bias” against the community in Heybridge and a “lack of democracy with his leadership”.

He added: “The question residents are asking me is should he step down as leader?

“I feel that Mr Fluker should apologise to the residents of Heybridge and perhaps he should volunteer to come down to Holloway Road and Goldhanger Road next time there is a flood to help residents clear up the mess.”

Heybridge West councillor Miriam Lewis applauded Mr Fluker for opposing the plans, which could have seen a range of homes from bungalows to four-bedroom houses built, along with a new school, retirement home and school.

She said: “The only thing we could determine this plan on is whether or not we are comfortable and confident that the system works.

“It has to be done at outline stage, not reserved matters, so if we are not comfortable and confident it’ll work now, I would say, sorry, we cannot approve.”

The plans would have included a residential care home with up to 120 beds, shops, a primary school, childcare facility, relief road, open spaces, electricity sub-stations, footpaths and cycle links.

Developer, Countryside Properties, confirmed it will be appealing against the decision. A spokesman said: “We are very disappointed by the decision to refuse the planning application for North Heybridge Garden Suburb.

“This goes against the local plan and the professional advice of the local council’s planning officers who recommended the application for approval.

“Our expectation is that we will be submitting an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate as soon as possible as well as resubmitting the application to the council so that this site can finally be brought forward to provide important new homes, infrastructure and amenities for the community of north Heybridge.”