I WAS appalled at the total lack of democracy demonstrated at the Braintree Council planning committee on February 26.

Concerned residents and our local district councillors voiced many reasons as to why the Tey Road planning application being considered should not go ahead.

It fell on deaf ears and despite the members of the committee who had visited the site agreeing the junction fell well below Essex County Council's own road standards and was dangerous, they still went ahead and gave approval for planning permission.

Cabinet member for planning and housing councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint confirmed the council now had a 5.4 year's housing supply based on the latest methodology, but went on to say this carried little weight until the council had its Local Plan in place.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Local Plan she was speaking about the plan she has been responsible for - the one she has been promising would be in place last year, and the year before and the year before that?

Isn't this the plan which is now in limbo because leader of the council Graham Butland is hell-bent on pushing through the garden communities which are not wanted nor required based on the current housing supply numbers?

Isn't it she and Mr Butland who are completely ignoring the inspector of the plan's recommendations?

Maybe it is time that Mrs Bowers-Flint and Mr Butland did the right thing and stepped aside and let someone else get in place the plan which they have failed so miserably to deliver.

But then again, maybe the only way we will see a change is to vote them out in May.

S Milne

Earls Colne