PROTESTERS are in uproar after hearing another £400,000 of public money is being put into garden communities.

Braintree, Colchester, Tendring and Essex councils will be considering the business plan for North Essex Garden Communities Ltd.

NEGC Ltd is the publicly-owned company set up by the four councils in January 2017, to oversee the development of the proposed three garden communities.

Now it has been revealed each council has committed to contributing £100,000 towards the project’s budget.

Tim Young (Lab), deputy leader of Colchester Council, said: “We all remain fully committed to using the principles underpinning the garden communities to help us meet our future housing demands.

“We have some really ambitious plans that will help transform the way we deliver housing developments in the future and provide the roads, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure needed. NEGC Ltd has a key part to play in helping us turn this ambition into reality.”

However, councillors, including Andrea Luxford Vaughan (Lib Dem) say the pledge of money is premature. She said: “Why are we doing this when we haven’t even heard back from the planning inspector?

“This is public money and we shouldn’t be committing it until we know what we are doing. It’s all predetermined, the principles are sound, but the viability still isn’t stacked up.”

A petition has been set up by the Campaign Against Urban Sprawl in Essex.

CAUSE’s secretary Rosie Pearson said: “NEGC Ltd should have been wound down the minute the inspector’s letter was received in June.

“Why on earth should residents see yet more money diverted to this unaccountable quango? NEGC Ltd needs to be put on ice.”

The money from each council will be used to support a business plan.

Neil Stock, Tendring Council leader, said NEGC Ltd was the best way to pull together the expertise and resources needed.

Graham Butland, Braintree Council leader, said the garden community approach will unlock funding for infrastructure and jobs.

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The plan will be discussed at Colchester Council’s cabinet meeting on November 21, Braintree Council’s on November 26, and Tendring Council’s on December 14.

To see CAUSE’s petition visit https://bit.ly/2PtyyNQ.