A PROPOSAL by Essex County Council to earmark two sites in Epping Forest for gravel extraction has been criticised by the district council.

Under the proposals, which form part of a county-wide consultation, Shellow Cross in Willingale and Patch Park Farm in Abridge would both be set aside for industrial mineral development.

The county council would have the ultimate say on planning permission if the proposals were taken further, but the district council must be consulted by law.

However last night, at a meeting of the district council's cabinet, councillors agreed with officers that the proposals were "unsuitable" and that the county council's decision making process in identifying the sites was "flawed."

A council spokesman said: "Impact on the Green Belt, the local landscape and local road network made the sites unacceptable to councillors.

"They also objected due to the potential risk of flooding on both sites and the presence of a high pressure gas main in close proximity to the Abridge site."

The councillors' views will now be sent back to the county council as part of the on-going consultation process.