A formal investigation is underway looking into the reason why a Babergh planning meeting was halted, and then postponed yesterday.

Among the items still be heard was a controversial application for five homes at Erwarton farm yard, next to the Grade II listed hall and Grade I listed Gatehouse.

However, proceedings were halted following a comfort break as councillors were discussing an application by Churchill Homes, regarding Belle Vue House in Sudbury.

Babergh's legal advisor Ian De Prez told members of the public at the meeting held at Wherstead Park, that a document privately given to some members of the committee during the break was 'a breach of the council's Planning Charter - which was a significant irregularity' and the item should not be finished or voted on that afternoon.

Babergh legal advisor Ian De Prez

Monitoring officer Emily Yule told committee members in the open forum that an investigation would be held and that the confidential information shared during the adjournment should not be shared.

Stephen Plumb, Babergh's planning committee chairman, then called a halt to all proceedings at around 4pm, meaning the Erwarton application, along with two others involving Chilton, and Bures St Mary, were not heard.

Some members of the public and people involved in the application had been waiting since the meeting had started at 9.30am.

The postponed applications will not now be heard by the planning committee until August 24 at the earliest.

Babergh planning meeting at Wherstead Park