THE battle to stop 326 homes being built on green belt land is back on after a blunder by a Government minister.

Campaigners against the plans to build on Coombes Farm, in Rochford, have branded Communities Secretary Eric Pickles “incompetent” after he intervened in the verdict of a planning inspector who threw out the plans.

Mr Pickles was found to have acted incorrectly when he scrapped controversial housing targets earlier this year.

But he is now in hot water with residents because he criticised Colonnade Land’s proposals.

He cited Coombes Farm as a prime example of a development which should no longer be allowed. However, because Mr Pickles added his own comments to planning inspector Christine Thorby’s verdict, the developer has successfully appealed and is resubmitting its plans.

James Bowker, who led the original residents’ campaign against the plans, said: “If the Secretary of State had not added his comments, we would not be in this mess now.

“Because of Government incompetence, this is now back on our doorstep.

“We will continue to fight it in the way we did before, but it is very disappointing his mistake has brought us here.”

Residents believed people power had triumphed when Ms Thorby returned her verdict, five months ago.

Mr Pickles chose to write a letter accompanying Ms Thorby’s verdict in which he used the Coombes Farm development as a reason for scrapping Regional Spatial Strategies.

But last month the Government was told it would have to pass a Bill through Parliament.

Following its successful appeal, Collonade is now set to bring back its plans for the site.

Keith Hudson, Rochford’s councillor responsible for planning, said he was confident a second inspector would reach the same conclusion.

Colonnade declined to comment.