It is of little importance whether Countryside Properties' application in Heybridge was for outline or detailed planning permission.

The basic problem is why the scheme was included in the development plan anyway.

For this, the fault lies with both planners and members.

If Cllr Fluker is correct in saying it is "not unusual" for flood authorities to intervene at such a late stage, then there is something fundamentally wrong with the planning process.

The problem now is: who can we trust to evaluate properly and objectively flood risk and alleviation proposals given the inclusion of the garden suburb in the first place?

Christopher Swain

Mermaid Way, Maldon