TORY councillors have called for a enquiry into planning policy after the decision on Stane Park was overturned.

The multi-million pound development featuring a pub, four restaurants and a coffee shop in Stanway was refused permission by Colchester Council last year over fears it would have a negative impact on the town centre, but Government planning inspector Clive Hughes reversed the decision following an appeal because he could see no prospect of the land being used for employment, which it had been designated for in the Local Plan.

In his report Mr Hughes said the council had illustrated double standard in promoting the new leisure development at the Northern Gateway ahead of Stane Park.

Now Conservative councillors want a full-scale enquiry into planning as a whole and have accused Colchester Council of protecting their own project at the expense of others.

Stanway member Fiona Maclean said: “The council has shown bias when dealing with its own land, to the disadvantage of the interests of the local community of Stanway.

“Planning must be scrupulously fair and transparent, and not susceptible to political interference.”

Tory business spokesman Robert Davidson said: “After this Government planning inspector’s damning report, entrepreneurs, especially in the retail and leisure sectors, no longer believe that their planning applications, essential to the future of their businesses, would be decided purely on their planning merits by Colchester Council.

“A public enquiry will find the facts, clear the air and identify improvements needed to restore the trust of the business community and the reputation of the council’s planning decisions.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “There is no suggestion that the council acted inappropriately from a procedural perspective and no claim for costs was sought by the appellants.

“The Northern Growth Area site benefits from a longstanding outline planning consent, granted in 2006, determined against the relevant planning policies and considerations at that time.

Cabinet member for sustainability Dominic Graham added: “Any applicant is entitled to appeal a council planning decision and the council has a good record of defending its decisions.

“I do not consider there is any justification for a review of our planning arrangements in Colchester.”