An angry councillor has accused planning officers of "Stalinism" during a public meeting in a row over a planning application.

District councillor Nigel McCrea (Con, Yeldham) made the comment during Braintree Council's Halstead Area Committee last night, over a plan to build a light industrial unit in Earls Colne.

The application was to build a new unit at Colne House Farm, in Station Road.

Officers had recommended it be turned down because it was in a rural area not earmarked for development in the local plan.

However, several councillors argued it was a good site for a unit because it is far from housing, well screened and near other barns.

During the debate, Mr McCrea said: "I am slightly disappointed to hear officers say the site is in a non-employment zone.

"It sounds Stalinist. The free market economy seems to be swamped by this sort of legislation.

"I think the officers' recommendations are wrong."

Andy Butcher, head of planning at Braintree Council replied: "It's not Stalinist. The planning policy has been established over many years."

Published Wednesday June 9, 2004

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