A councillor has defended herself against criticism from angry residents who want to oust her because they claim she does not have their parish’s interests at heart.

Heybridge Residents Association has invited more than 500 Heybridge residents to a public meeting on Sunday.

It will discuss Maldon District Council’s plans to allocate 1,235 homes for the parish – which they are against – and seek to establish a vote of no confidence against district councillor Miriam Lewis, who has represented Heybridge West since 2007.

In December, councillors decided to add another 335 homes to the proposed north Heybridge ‘garden suburb,’ where 900 homes were previously allocated.

Miss Lewis, vice chairman of the planning and licensing committee, had hoped that councillors would allocate more than 1,000 homes in a bid to get improved infrastructure, including much-needed flood alleviation.

See this week's Standard for the full story.