Maldon District Council has made a statement, following a controversial planning meeting about the Burnham Waters development last Thursday (October 27).

Residents say they were turned away from the meeting, in which proposals for a 203-home retirement complex in Burnham-On-Crouch were approved.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council has since told Nub News: "There were three items on the agenda, all of which had the potential to have several individuals - including applicants, objectors, and the Parish Council - wishing to speak to the Committee.

"The Council was unaware of the number of people looking to attend the meeting prior to the evening of the meeting.

"To ensure the smooth running of the meeting, and to provide a balanced and even approach to all other interested parties, for all three planning applications, only the individuals registered to speak as per the public speaking protocol would specifically be allowed into the Chamber.

"Additional members of the public were seated in an overspill area and able to watch the live stream in real time.

The spokesperson says this approach was 'consistent' and 'fair' in allowing the public to hear the discussion. There is also limited capacity in the Chamber, due in part to the equipment being used to stream meetings online.

All meetings are broadcast live on Maldon District Council's YouTube Channel.

The spokesperson added: "This gives the same access for non-speaking public as if they were in the room.  

"Furthermore, it can be confirmed that there was no security present at the Council offices on Thursday evening and staff present were there simply to ensure the effective running of the meeting."

Meanwhile, a separate meeting has been organised to set up an 'action group' to represent Dengie residents on issues including last Thursday's events.

It will be held at the Burnham Town Council offices on November 17, from 5pm. Burnham Town Council will provide the venue but is not affiliated with the group.

David Kennedy, one of the organisers, said residents aim to challenge the 'validity' of the meeting, "as recent comments made in the Court of Appeal by Lord Justices Lindblom and Underhill were clear that any potential cost of an appeal should not be a factor in considering a planning application.

"Yet, if you watch the video of this meeting, you will see appeal costs were to the fore, brought up at the very beginning by the applicant's agent as well as by the head of planning and some councillors.

"There is a lot more to this than just preventing public access."

Maldon District Council has been approached for further comment.

WATCH last Thursday's District Planning Committee meeting here: