COUNCIL bosses have been accused of ignoring health issues in plans for new towns.

Colchester Council has joined forces with authorities in Essex, Tendring and Braintree for plans for three garden communities across the north of the county which could eventually see 30,000 new homes built.

Last week The Gazette revealed chief executive of the trust which runs Colchester General Hospital Nick Hulme had lodged a formal concern with the council on the plans fearing the plans would create 78,000 extra patients for the already-stretched hospital.

At a cabinet meeting of the council, where members voted to plough another £250,000 into developing the scheme which could see controversial compulsory purchase order powers invoked, opposition leader Dennis Willetts (Con) accused bosses of ducking the issue.

He said: “said: “I was staggered Nick Hulme wrote to this council on August 15 and it was not flagged up to the Local Plan committee or tabled as a serious issue.

“Members of this council do not know the contents of the letter or what the response was to it.

“It suggests to me health is not featuring large in the plans.

“I’m disappointed you don’t want to take a stronger leadership role in health services, we do not want to see you wash your hands of it.

“It must be a central part of this project.”

Mr Willetts also raised concerns plans for a new town between Colchester and Braintree – which has been dubbed West Tey – would draw people away from Colchester town centre.

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) has been a strong advocate of garden communities because they deliver infrastructure such as roads, schools and medical facilities before housing.

He said: ”I was very disappointed at the hospital’s comments which seemed to imply it was garden communities which were causing problems in housing numbers.

“The Local Plan requires 920 homes per year whether it is in a garden community or not.

“In fact, garden communities will have a positive impact rather than a negative one.

“It will provide affordable housing for rent which is something the hospital should be supportive of.

“It has difficulty with find staff who can afford to live in the borough.

“Whether the hospital can cope is something for the secretary of state for health to look at.”

Councillors revealed a meeting earlier this week with hospital bosses had been productive and Mr Smith suggested health services would be run better if Colchester Council were in charge of them.

He added: “I would love to take responsibility for the health services in Colchester but the Government does not believe in that kind of devolution.

“I wish we had those powers but we don’t.

“These are central Government responsibilities.

“It is a real shame because I believe so many of the issues would be better treated locally.”

West Tey could eventually see 16,858 homes built while a new town between Colchester and Tendring could have 6,600 homes. A third town west of Braintree could see 9,700 homes built.