Chelmsford borough councillors are set to fight without the help of their professional planning officers to prevent Beaulieu Park growing by another 150 properties.

Development control committee members decided to override officers' advice and stick to their view that there is no adequate senior school or road infrastructure in the area to support upping the Countryside estate from 400 to 550 homes.

Council leader Mike Mackrory led the move to reject the scheme, and his stance is backed by residents and Springfield and Boreham parish councils.

He said that another clash between the council and Countryside at a public inquiry was likely.

"But we believe we are doing the right thing and there is every belief that we can sway an inspector with our views about the schools, the roads and the fact that we do not accept that this is an urban area where higher density housing should be permitted," said Councillor Mackrory.

Officers recommended that the scheme should be approved as long as a legal agreement guaranteeing a medical centre and other facilities was agreed.

The professionals said that Government policy allowed the higher density of building in urban areas. It would have helped towards the goal of 20 per cent affordable housing in the scheme.

By Peter Baker

Reporter's e-mail: peter.baker@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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