A RESIDENTS’ association claims Tendring could be better off without any Local Plan – despite fears it would lead to a “free for all” by speculative developers.

Tendring Council’s new Local Plan - the blueprint for development across the district - was due to be published in 2012.

Its original plan for 6,000 homes was shelved after fears were raised it would be rejected by planning inspectors. New evidence suggests 10,000 would be needed.

Frinton Residents’ Association last week called on councillors and MPs to put party politics aside to form a Local Plan as quickly as possible to prevent developers from “tearing up” Tendring.

But Holland Residents’ Association chairman Joy Broderick claims the district could be better off without a plan at all.

Mrs Broderick said: “I have been a councillor for Holland-on-Sea for eight years. For five of those years all 60 councillors worked their socks off, campaigning, organising consultations, briefings, training and evening meetings to produce a plan that placed around 6,000 dwellings in Tendring.

“We are assured that this plan will continue carry some weight today as it was voted through council in November 2013.

“All councillors were stunned when just two months later the Government rubbished our work and demanded 12,000.”

She added: “As for a developers free-for-all, they will want to build where they can maximise profit.

“Central Tendring, the Colchester boarder and the A120 corridor would be top of their list.

“They can also only build where land is for sale - the very same land now available for the plan.

“Anything they put forward will be subjected to the exact same National Planning Policy Framework planning rules with or without a Local Plan.

“Rural councillors will be very keen to bulldoze through a Local Plan that protects their wards and villages preferring instead that Clacton takes the burden.

“You could argue that Clacton could be better off without a plan at all.”