OPPOSITION councillors have been given the all-clear to vote on crucial plans to expand Southend Airport following an investigation.

Last month, Tory councillor Tony Cox called for the Liberal Democrats to be barred from voting on the planning application to extend the airport’s runway.

Mr Cox intervened because he feared Lib Dem councillors had already made up their minds over the plan, which their leader Graham Longley had announced his party was opposed to.

Mr Cox was worried that if the Lib Dems vote on the Stobart Group’s £30million development plans, then Southend Council could face legal action by the airport owners and a judicial review of its decision.

Strict rules govern councillors, which prevent them being for or against any planning application before it is heard.

However, John Williams, the council’s head of legal and democratic services, looked into the issue and has now agreed Lib Dems can vote.

Mr Longley said: “What the borough solicitor said is that none of my statements show predetermination and I’m obviously pleased.

“It’s disappointing councillor Cox didn’t feel the advice I gave him at the time about this was correct. He’s spent ratepayers’ money unnecessarily.”

However, Mr Cox, who represents West Shoebury, said: “It would have cost the council thousands of pounds if the matter had gone to judicial review, so it needed clarifying.

“I think he should have known better than to make the comments he did. I still think he has predetermined the issue, but the legal department said otherwise and I have to go with that.”

The airport’s expansion plans will be voted on at a meeting of the development control committee today.