ONCE again a majority of Thurrock Council planning councillors have gone against their officers' advice and have recommended approval for a controversial new homes development in the green belt.

Developers once again brought a plan for five new homes in Fobbing before the planning committee and – despite a recommendation to reject, by a vote of six to two, councillors gave the green light for the proposal at 40, High Road.

A cross party alliance of Cllrs Mike Fletcher, Gerard Rice, Sue Sammons, Angela Lawrence, David Potter and Sue Shinnock backed the development.

That doesn't mean it will happen – under the council's constitution the scheme has to come back in a month as officers have the opportunity to give reasons why the councillors' decision will not stand up to scrutiny.

At last Thursday's (22 October) meeting, just committee chair Cllr Tom Kelly and Stanford-le-Hope independent councillor Gary Byrne backed refusal of the application for five new homes for the over 55s.

It was a success after several times of trying by developers but they are not over the line yet.

The full debate on the application can be viewed (Item 11) here. The application itself can be viewed here.