Councillor Lee Scordis slams refusal of 90 homes in Copford

Old Heath and the Hythe councillor Lee Scordis has said his colleagues’ vote refusing planning permission for two accommodation blocks in Copford was “irresponsible”.

One three-storey block would provide 72 ‘extra care’ units, and the other 18 supported living flats as an extension to the provision at Dorothy Curtice Court.

The proposed flats were due to be developed, owned and operated by care home provider Anchor.

The plans received hundreds of objections with residents heavily against the proposals.

Frustrated - a previous protest against the plans in Copford (Image: Public)

Despite the proposal remaining acceptable to council officers following a deferral at the previous meeting on January 25, a narrow majority refused to grant planning permission on the grounds of design, scale and mass.

In a post on X the day after the meeting Mr Scordis said: “The Tories and the Liberal Democrats on the planning committee voted down an application for 100 per cent affordable housing for over-55s.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis. Their actions are irresponsible and likely to lead to an appeal (by the applicant) that will cost the council a lot of money.”

However, Marks Tey and Layer councillor Andrew Ellis said that the “fear of appeal outcomes should not be a reason to accept an application”.

Meanwhile, Essex County Council leader and fellow ward councillor Kevin Bentley slammed the scheme’s “awful” design.

Conversely, a statement from council leader Councillor David King read at the meeting, said: “Given the housing crisis, I ask you to give particular weight to the contribution this development will offer.

“If planning permission is not granted, we can only speculate on what would happen.”

Site - the homes would have been behind Dorothy Curtis Court (Image: Newsquest)

In a statement, Mr Scordis said: “Local authorities are in the middle of a growing housing crisis, costing councils millions each year, and leaving families in absolute destitution.

“However, when an application comes forward which is 100 per cent affordable homes, the Lib Dems and Conservatives on the committee take a myopic view and vote it down against the recommendation of planning officers. 

"It is likely the application will be appealed and cost the council money in legal fees.

“Councillors with concerns about the design and access should have worked with the developers and could have even called for a deferral while changes (to the proposal) were made.”