THE chairman of the Braintree Conservatives insists the council leader has his full support amid calls for him to resign.

More than 1,400 people have now signed a petition calling for Graham Butland to step down from the top role at Braintree Council.

Mr Butland, who is a Conservative councillor for Great Notley, says the petition will be discussed by councillors at a future meeting providing it is approved by officers.

Critics say Mr Butland should take responsibility for failing to get backing for plans to build 34,000 homes to the east and west of Braintree.

But Braintree Conservative Association chairman John McKee says it is wrong to single out one individual and claims the petition is politically-motivated.

He said: “Of course the leader has to take some responsibility but it wasn’t just his decision.

“The garden communities scheme went through a lot of scrutiny and was backed by the majority of councillors.

“Graham was fully behind it, but so were the planning portfolio holders.

“There’s a sense this petition is just mean-spirited.

“Graham has been painted as the Big Bad Wolf and has been accused of bullying. But that is simply untrue.

“He’s a good, strong leader and has our full support.

“The financial performance of the council under his leadership, even during these difficult times, shows how well he is doing.”

Mr McKee, who sits on Mr Butland’s cabinet at Braintree Council, also rejected accusations the Conservative party ignored the will of residents by pursuing plans for the garden communities.

He says there was clear mention of the new towns on campaign leaflets before last May’s local election, which saw the Tories claim 34 of the 49 seats on the council.

And despite the planning inspector ruling the two proposed garden communities – West of Braintree and West Tey – unsound, Mr McKee says it is possible they could be revived in the future.

He added: “The people against the garden communities appear to be jubilant too soon. The council will of course follow the advice of the inspector but it’s not all over.

“One of the developers involved could yet launch an appeal. Who knows what will happen in the future?”