THE directors behind a major retail and leisure complex in Stanway have claimed Colchester Council is "engineering" its planning committee.

The plans for Tollgate Village - one of Colchester’s most controversial planning applications for years - are due to be discussed by the committee for the second time on February 18.

But Daniel Watts and Jayne Gee, directors of Tollgate Partnership Limited, have asked for the application to be deferred to March 3 when the committee members who first discussed it can attend.

Gazette:

Mr Watts said: “We are constantly being told our planning application is being treated fairly but it doesn’t feel that way.

"First, two planning committee members were told they should not attend the December meeting to decide the application because they were at the launch of Pappus House, our new development of small office spaces which is in their own ward.

"Now we discover two councillors who supported the planning application will not be at the key meeting on February 18.

“Our cynical view is Colchester Council is engineering the planning committee to ensure its preferred outcome, rather than what the people of Colchester borough want.

“Meanwhile, at Northern Gateway, Colchester Council's own out-of-town development on more important strategic employment land, the council’s preferred developer Turnstone has submitted an application to vary a condition that could give planning for a cinema."

At the December committee meeting the plan was approved – against council officers’ advice – by the casting vote of chairman Jon Manning.

Mr Manning is unable to attend on February 18 as he is on holiday.

Gazette: Cllr Jon Manning

Deputy chairman and Lib Dem colleague Jessica Scott-Boutell, who would normally chair the meeting in his absence, says she is also unable to attend due to "a prior commitment".

The council’s legal services manager, Andrew Weavers, has said the chairman would be selected on the night.

Councillors will be permitted to change their vote and different councillors are now certain to be sitting on the committee.

The plans have created controversy with town centre traders fearing business would be taken away.

However, backers of the scheme believe it would be a regional boost in terms of jobs and amenities.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “The composition of the planning committee is part of the democratic process and is not a matter for planning officers.

“In this regard, the case officer is preparing a report in the light of the committee minutes of December 17, that will be presented to the first available committee.

“Officers have consistently advised relevant parties the case would be reported to the first practically available committee and that this was anticipated to be that of the February 18.

“Providing this committee is quorate, the identity of the committee’s members is not a planning matter.”

He added: “The site on United Way referred to by the Tollgate site’s developers was consented in 2006 and does not include retail uses.

“It is not considered the planning history of this unconnected site is of any planning relevance to the consideration.

“Planning law requires applications are determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material planning considerations indicate otherwise.

“The history of unrelated sites is not one of these relevant considerations.”

Who attended last time and how they voted:

Jon Manning, chairman (Lib Dem) - IN FAVOUR

Peter Chillingworth (Conservative) - AGAINST

Helen Chuah (Lib Dem) - AGAINST

Pauline Hazell (Conservative) - IN FAVOUR

Brian Jarvis (Conservative) - IN FAVOUR

Mike Lilley (Labour) - AGAINST

Jessica Scott-Boutell, deputy chairman (Lib Dem) - IN FAVOUR

Patricia Moore (Conservatives) - IN FAVOUR

Rosalind Scott (Labour) - AGAINST

Jo Hayes (Lib Dem) - AGAINST

Substitutes:

Roger Buston, for Jackie Maclean (Cons) - IN FAVOUR

Gerard Oxford, for Laura Sykes (Ind) - AGAINST

Confirmed as not attending the next meeting on February 18:

Jon Manning (Lib Dem)

Jesscia Scott-Boutell (Lib Dem)

Laura Sykes (Lib Dem)

Jackie Maclean (Conservative)

A pool of substitutes are listed below.

They are not expected to be confirmed until days before the meeting.

Lib Dems: Lyn Barton, Barrie Cook, Nick Cope, Annie Feltham, Bill Frame, Dominic Graham, Julia Havis, Theresa Higgins, Nigel Offen, Paul Smith.

Conservatives: Christopher Arnold, Roger Buston, Nigel Chapman, Robert Davidson, Beverly Davies, John Elliott, Annesley Hardy, Marcus Harrington, Darius Laws, Sue Lissimore, Ben Locker, Fiona Maclean, Peter Sheane, Will Quince, Dennis Willetts.

Labour: Tina Bourne, Dave Harris, Cyril Liddy, Kim Naish, Chris Pearson, Julie Young, Tim Young.

Independent: Gerard Oxford, Philip Oxford.