Burnham residents were 'physically barred' from a Maldon District Council Planning Committee meeting to discuss a 203-home retirement community in the town, last Thursday (October 27).

Known as Burnham Waters, the complex is a contentious topic, which is why residents had hoped to attend the meeting.

Proposals for the third phase of the development, which aims to provide homes for those over 55, were approved by Councillors.

Councillor Kevin Lagan, Chair of the Committee, told Nub News he was unaware the public had been prevented from entering.

He said: "The public should not have been excluded."

"That was fundamentally wrong."

Residents had travelled from Burnham-on-Crouch to observe the meeting in person. But when they arrived at the Council Offices in Princes Road, Maldon, workers would not let them go into the Chamber.

Footage from the meeting shows empty seats in the public gallery.

No reason has yet been given for excluding the public. A council source said some councillors would have refused to continue the meeting, had they known.

Jo Coombes, who spoke against the proposal at the meeting, said: "When I arrived, the Council office doors were locked.

"When they were opened, two workers from the Council stood in my way and told me members of the public weren't allowed into the Chamber.

"But Maldon District Council make it clear on their website that eleven members of public can go in and watch these vital debates about housing, and openness to the public is in the Council's code of conduct.

"Since I was speaking at the meeting, I was escorted in by a security person, but I was shocked to see many empty chairs in the public gallery where people could have sat quietly and observed.

"Someone decided on the evening to strip people of their rights to be part of local democracy.

"Who made that decision and why?"

The order to ban members of the public from the Chamber was apparently issued by Hannah Wheatley, Specialist Services Manager.

However, it is not known which councillors may have asked her to do so.

David Kennedy, a Burnham resident, said: "It was like there were bouncers on the door."

Residents have launched a campaign to find out why they were excluded. Meanwhile, an internal investigation is expected to be launched.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council has been approached for comment.

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