COUNCILLORS who rejected the concerns of residents, planning officers and even their own group leadership will get the opportunity to reconsider a controversial planning decision this evening (Thursday, 5 January).

At a planning meeting last November five Conservative councillors voted to approve a development of 230 houses on land to the rear of the George and Dragon pub in Linford.

The chose to do so despite registered concerns of around 300 residents, detailed reasons given against the scheme by planning officers and even the wishes of their own group leader, who attended the meeting.

Council leader Cllr Mark Coxshall has personally opposed the scheme and says he will support a government call in to review the decision if the councillors stick with their view that the scheme is acceptable. Planning is regarded as an apolitical issue and within the general guidelines of the council's constitution, he cannot order the councillors to change their mind.

Because the decision was made against officer advice, under the same council rules, the matter has to come back for a second meeting.

That happens this evening and once again the council's officers are giving detailed reasons why they regard the scheme as inappropriate, and they have rejected councillors' arguments backing their decision. Councillors Tom Kelly, James Thandi, Paul Arnold, Adam Carter and Terry Piccolo, who voted for the scheme initially, will get the chance to reconsider their view. Labour's Lee Watson and Sue Shinnick voted against the scheme the first time round.

The meeting takes place at the Town Hall in Grays, starting at 6pm.

The full agenda item can be viewed via this link.