A RESIDENTS association has criticised the lack of cooperation between the district council and members of the public over planning issues.

Members of the Heybridge Residents Association are concerned their voices are going unheard on planning issues in their neighbourhood.

In November last year the council approved the controversial North Heybridge Garden Suburb, consisting of 1,100 houses.

The association claim the government’s Localism Act advises that local people’s views should be included by councils in planning matters relating to their neighbourhood.

They also claim that efforts to introduce a Community Liaison Scheme between Heybridge residents and Maldon District Council have fallen on deaf ears.

Don Benson, chair of the association, said: “For over three years in my position as chair of the association I have continuously made the request to Maldon District Council for a liaison scheme to be activated, but it has not happened.

“In the early days of the proposed developments for Heybridge I became acutely concerned that the District Councillors at that stage did not have sufficient knowledge about the Surface Water Drainage System which has been successfully protecting Heybridge from Flooding for at least 150 years.

“Driving on the roads in and around Heybridge now at what is described as peak times is a nightmare. Considering the increase in vehicle numbers on these roads from the developments it is very obvious that improvement to the whole road network must be a priority.

“But the council may not realise this unless they take the time and effort to properly liaise with the residents who will be most affected by the developments.”

Mark Durham, Leader Maldon District Council said, “The council has committed to facilitating a Community Liaison Panel for the North Heybridge Garden Suburb, once the full details of the development proposals are presented to the council.

"This is likely to be the end of this year and the council has met and had regular communication with Mr Benson regarding this.”