Plans for a housing estate on a Shoebury flood plain were finally approved, despite accusations that the developers were "bullying" councillors.

Garrison Developments’ plans for 172 homes, office blocks, and a health centre on Old Gunner’s Park, between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road, was given approval at a heated meeting at Southend Council’s development control committee.

The developer’s agent had threatened the committee by suggesting the council could be in line for a costly pay out if it loses a planning appeal against the scheme, while James Moyies’ pleas for councillors “not to be bullied” fell on deaf ears.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “I am disgusted with Ukip and Conservative councillors, especially Roger Hadley, who should be representing his residents, not developers.

“Flood plains should not be built on, full stop. I am also calling for a fundamental change in our planning department’s approach and processes.”

Planning officers said further investigations have concluded that the development would not create a flood risk or create too much of a burden on local infrastructure.

They had recommended it for approval, as they did in July, when the committee turned down the plans over both concerns.

The developer had appealed that ruling.

Robert Pomery, a charted town planner representing the developers, spoke at the meeting, and said: “I can see it is tempting to refuse this knowing an appeal is pending. But the appeal would expect the council to come to the hearing with a credible planning case with robust reasons for refusal.

“Failure to robustly support refusal will leave the council open to leave the public purse tens of thousands out of pocket.”

Residents fear that building on the site will leave homes nearby vulnerable to flooding as the water will have nowhere to go.

Vivien Byczynski, chairman of the Garrison Residents Association, said: "Flooding in the north has devastated lives. The council cannot naively assume that Shoebury is immune to climate change and downpours because the developers tell us there is no associated risk.

“The unfortunate decision today does nothing to uphold local democracy but merely confirms that the council officers and developers collude to get their own way. The application has been submitted in a tactical way to ensure the ongoing appeal is now withdrawn.”

But Tory Roger Hadley, who represents Shoebury, pointed out that there is an open space on the site that will allow drainage, and said 30 percent of the development would be affordable homes.

He voted for the application, fearing the council would lose an appeal.

Planning officers had claimed the development would only lead to nine extra vehicle movements per day, but these figures were compared to a previous business park plan for the site dating back to 2005. This new development would create 560 extra vehicles on the road during the evening and morning peak hours.

A lot of furore before the meeting surrounded Independents Mike Assenheim and Nick Ward being thrown out of voting on the plans, after supposedly predetermining it in a leaflet.

However, it mattered little as only their substitutes Mike Stafford and Derek Kenyon, Tino Callaghan (Southend Independence), Trevor Byford (Tory), and Anne Jones (Labour) voted against the scheme.

However, the Environment Agency has said no construction work can take place on the estate until a new Shoebury Seawall is built.