CAMPAIGNERS are up in arms over the £70,196 bill a council ran up fighting a resident in the High Court.

Rochford District Council successfully defended a challenge to its housing plans from Rayleigh campaigner Linda Kendall,.

Richard Lambourne, a Rayleigh resident and supporter of Ms Kendall, submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council to discover the full extent of the cost after its own early estimate put the figure at around £60,000.

Mr Lambourne said: “I was appalled at the costs of more than £70,000. Who was it at the council who authorised the defence, and what alternatives did they explore before defending this action?

“Why didn’t the officers and the Conservative cabinet open the decision up to the full council to discuss and decide in an open vote?

“Are they really to be trusted with our council tax when all they seem determined on is building houses the district’s infrastructure can’t sustain?”

The figure was revealed at a time when the council is suffering from Government funding cuts and job losses are expected, due to a restructure.

Campaigners are also calling on the council to help get street lights turned back on across the district, a cost thought to be about £60,000.

Ian Ward, Rochford councillor for planning, said: “I could not agree more with Mr Lambourne. It was a shocking waste of money.

“There are things we could have done with that £70,000, flood alleviation work for a start. But we were forced into defending our planning document by Linda Kendall.

“If she had not done what she did, we would have been £70,000 better off.

“If we had not defended ourselves, it would have left our whole plan in tatters and left us open to rogue developers taking up every bit of green belt land.”

Decision looms on 500 homes

THE first of several expected major planning applications, since the council’s housing plans were voted through, is due to be heard next Thursday.

The controversial application, for 500 homes on land west of Rayleigh between London Road and Rawreth Lane, has prompted more than 600 comments on Rochford District Council’s website.

While the application is only an outline proposal, meaning the majority of the final details – other than site access – are reserved for later discussion, its approval would be a nail in the coffin of campaigns to stop the green belt development.

The plans, by Countryside Properties, are for around 500 homes with associated open space, landscaping, parking, servicing, utilities, drainage and infrastructure works – as well as a primary school.

Also included is non-residential space that could be allocated for a variety of uses, including retail, food and drink, a health or medical centre, or a crèche.

Ian Ward, Rochford councillor for planning, said: “Everything will be decided in accordance with our planning policies.

“If councillors do have any objections they will, as always, have to make sure they are material planning considerations.

“If they are, and members think it is something that is not right, then the application will not float.”

The public are welcome to attend the meeting.

It is being held at 7.30pm in the council chamber of the Civic Suite, in Hockley Road, Rayleigh. The public will not be allowed to speak.