The developer behind one of Southend’s largest ever developments has accused critics of denying residents of a “brighter, greener future” after a decision on planning permission was delayed.

Councillors were supposed to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission to the £50million Seaway leisure complex last night but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute after the plans were referred to the Secretary of State.

The referral was made by a consultancy company called RPS, which was employed by the Stockvale Group, owned by Adventure Island boss Philip Miller.

The consultants claim Southend Council was incorrect to say an assessment on the development’s environmental impact does not need to be carried out and the communities secretary should make it a binding requirement.

The secretary of state will now have 21 days to consider the referral - but this could take longer due to the general election on December 12.

Tim Deacon, director at Turnstone Estates, said: “Today could have been the day that Southend chose to secure a brighter, greener future with a new £50 million family friendly year-round leisure attraction.

“But instead, a cynical attempt to deny residents hundreds of jobs and the state-of-the-art facilities they deserve has held Southend back. Southend Council’s independent legal advice supports the view that there is no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment.

“So, it could not be any clearer, this is all about stopping residents having a go to leisure destination with some of the best names in entertainment like Empire Cinemas and Hollywood Bowl.

“While vested interests want to play games with what leisure facilities residents can have, we are as determined as ever to take Southend forward and deliver Seaway Leisure for residents to enjoy and local businesses to cash in all year round.”

Mr Miller did not respond to requests to comment over the referral but the letter submitted by RPS says the development will cause an “excess parking demand”, endanger trees, hinder views, and says there is not enough information on the impact it will have on air quality.

Councillor Martin Terry, who previously raised some concerns about the plans, said: “There are many questions about this proposal and lots of things have been said by various people so I wasn’t surprised to see the meeting called off.

“There are lots of unanswered questions and I intended to attend the meeting and pose some of those questions. I think cancelling this was right thing to do.”