RESIDENTS were left "puzzled, disappointed and disillusioned" as a site in Earls Colne was recommended for development.

At a Local Plan Committee meeting at Braintree Council on Monday, it was agreed to include a site east of Monks Road in the draft Local Plan.

Colne ward councillor Gabrielle Spray had won an appeal to get the site for 50 homes removed from the local plan back in the summer.

However following this, developer Crest Nicholson submitted a planning application, which was approved by the council's Planning Committee on Tuesday.

More than 70 people opposed the planning bid, but planning officers and some district councillors thought the site was appropriate.

Councillor Spray said: "This decision has left local residents, the parish council and some district councillors puzzled, disappointed and a bit disillusioned.

"In conversations I have had I have been asked how it is that smaller committees can overrule a decision by full council.

"The developer is viewed as playing the system and I can understand the frustration.

"There are problems with traffic already and these would be exacerbated. It's a frustrating outcome and the democratic process is being questioned."

Planning officers said all approved planning applications should be shown on the Local Plan to make it easier for people to understand where homes could be going.

Councillor John O'Reilly Cicconi said the committee had to follow national policy laws, and the site was worthy of being granted planning permission.

Councillor Lady Patricia Newton added: "It's a very fair point that Councillor Spray put in, saying the community at large simply does not understand these processes.

"The planning consent was granted because we do not have a five-year supply of houses available and the site was considered a sustainable location."

The recommendation to approve the site in the local plan was approved.