THE latest phase of a controversial housing development has been given the go-ahead...after just two councillors voted details plans through.

Eight members of Basildon Council’s planning committee abstained from a vote on 192 houses proposed for the Dry Street development.

Only Labour councillor Adele Brown and Tory Stuart Allen had their say - voting to support the application.

Outline planning permission for the new estate - which will include a total of 745 houses, space for a new school and retail facilities - was approved by the council in June 2013.

In 2015, then planning committee chairman Carole Morris sparked uproar when she signed off details for 181 houses in the first phase of the development behind closed doors.

The decision saw her removed as head of the committee and the council ruled that any further developments bigger than ten houses have to go before the planning councillors.

Miriam Heppell, chairman of the Green Action Group, was among campaigners and cross-party councillors who packed the meeting as the application was discussed.

She told the Echo she is disappointed with the decision as she wanted small changes made to the plans - including a green border between the new houses and established homes bordering the site.

She said: “Several of the councillors asked good questions of the committee, but they were just told that nothing could be changed on the application because it was the same as what was agreed in the outline application.

“The councillors just sat on their hands.

“They might as well have passed this phase behind close doors as well.

“I just wanted one councillor to stand up and object. It was very frustrating.

“It was a sad day for the borough and for the councillors. But that is democracy.”

She added that the campaign to stop the development had now reached “the end of the line.”

Basildon Council’s former cabinet system was ousted in favour of a commitee system after Labour, Ukip and independent councillors joined forces.