NEW homes cannot be built on green belt in Hadleigh, despite claims from the deputy council leader the authority failed to follow procedure.

Castle Point Council voted seven to six to refuse plans for six detached houses on Nashlea Farm, in Poors Lane, as the site was designated as green belt.

Conservative deputy council leader Bill Sharp, who backed the scheme, called for the decision to be taken again as he claimed the acting chairman of the planning committee, councillor Norman Smith, failed to follow procedure when voting against the scheme.

But council officers refused the review, as they said the decision was valid.

Steve Rogers, the council’s head of regeneration and neighbourhoods, said: “The vote was exercised using the chairman’s discretion under the constitution regarding the interpretation of the procedure rules at the meeting, mindful of the chairman’s responsibility to conduct business to ensure decisions are taken efficiently and effectively.

“Asavalid decision on the application was made and has been issued, there is no ability to take the application back to the development control committee for review.”

Six Conservatives backed the scheme, against officers’ recommendation to refuse it because it was on green belt, after Mr Sharp spoke in favour of it.

But the six members from Ukip and Canvey Island Independence Party voted against it, causing deadlock.

Mr Smith, also a Conservative, then cast the deciding vote, rejecting the scheme.

Mr Sharp claimed Mr Smith acted against the council’s constitution as he only cast his vote after seeing other councillors’ votes and told officers the decision must be retaken.

But Mr Smith and council officers have stood firm. Mr Rogers said: “Councillor Smith indicated immediately he was exercising his casting vote in favour of the officers’ recommendation and announced refusal of the application.”

Political insiders have suggested the disagreement shows a rift in the Tory group between Mr Smith, who supported previous council leader Pam Challis, and Mr Sharp, who wants a break with the past.

But Mr Sharp insisted he only backed this scheme to protect other, more precious, green belt.

He said: “If we are going to protect pristine green belt land, we have to look at previously developed green belt.”

CIIP leader Dave Blackwell said: “I’m rather concerned the deputy leader of the council encouraged Conservatives to push through a development on green belt when it’s against council policy to build on green belt.”

Ukip leader Alan Bayley said: “Good for the officers. Bill Sharp is a strong-minded person, who wants to get his own way.”