BENEATH the village of Rettendon's idyllic veneer lies a tale of High Court writs, allegations of council misconduct, police investigations and the first contested parish by-election in a generation.
A dispute over planning has split the 600-person settlement and generated accusations of corruption, extramarital affairs and cronyism.
The ill-will runs so deep that angry residents have even started a rival publication to the parish council newsletter.
"We are a village at war," said parish councillor Keith Marshall.
The quarrel centres on plans by a multi-millionaire to build a riding centre on the outskirts of Rettendon, a quiet village eight miles south of Chelmsford.
Philanthropist David Bishop wants to spend £500,000 of his own money to transform a derelict pub into an equestrian centre, shops and a restaurant – and then hand the business over to a charity.
But plans to redevelop the Wheatsheaf, in Main Road, were rejected by Chelmsford City Council planning bosses last summer. They were also rejected by Rettendon Parish Council, despite apparent initial support for the scheme.
The fallout has seen the village split into two groups – those opposing the development and those supporting it.
In the midst of the battle, two parish councillors are being investigated by Chelmsford City Council for alleged misconduct.
The police have looked into claims that signatures on a planning petition – handed to authority bosses the day of the application decision – against the development were forged.
And one parish councillor is being dragged through the High Court after allegedly spreading rumours that Mr Bishop, 62, was having an affair with the vice-chairman of the parish council, something both strongly deny.
"I would love things to go back to the way they were," said resident Isobel Greenshields, 69, a retired school teacher who has lived in Rettendon for 33 years.
"What's wrong with this village is not the buildings but the people. It's like something out of Midsomer Murders.
"It's very, very sad and I pray we can all reunite because I feel I just don't know anyone here any more."
The supporters of the Wheatsheaf plans are backed by the Rettendon Focus Group, which, among other things, "monitors the processes and actions of the parish council and ensure their decisions accurately reflect the requirements of the residents".
It was set up after some residents became disillusioned with the parish council's actions. Its mouthpiece, The Village Voice newsletter, was first printed in August 2012 with the aim of "giving residents their voice back".
On the other side, locals have rallied around two parish councillors – Roy Hart and Keith Marshall – who own businesses in the area.
Mr Bishop is suing Councillor Marshall for defamation, in a case expected to be heard at the High Court in the coming months.
He accuses the 66-year-old, who owns Whitegates Farm in South Hanningfield Road, of starting rumours that he has had an affair with the vice-chairman of the parish council, Mrs Pat Prebble.
She said: "I'm really upset by it all and I feel on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
"It's horrible. It's all got so personal and involved the whole village. It is such a shame."
Meanwhile, Cllr Hart and Councillor Marshall are being investigated by the city council for alleged misconduct in their roles as parish councillors.
The charges relate to nine potential breaches of the Councillors' Code of Conduct and surround the pair's objection to Mr Bishop's development.
A letter seen by the Chronicle to Barry Summerfield, the parish clerk in Rettendon, from Ann Coronel, the legal and democratic services manager and monitoring office at Chelmsford City Council, spelled out the case against the pair.
It included their "clear opposition" to the Wheatsheaf plans, their "past behaviour" in relation to the submission, and, given both men own businesses nearby, an apparent conflict of interest. She added: "In particular that Cllr Marshall had been instrumental organising a petition opposing application."
In addition, the Chronicle has learnt that the police have investigated claims that signatures on the petition – which hung on Councillor Marshall's farm shop wall – were forged.
This is an allegation Councillor Marshall says is "complete rubbish".
In a further twist, it has emerged that two Chelmsford city councillors, who are also parish councillors in Rettendon, have not attended a parish meeting for at least six months.
Ray Ride and Lance Millane were accused by parish councillors Mr Hart, Mr Marshall and Mrs Kathryn Clark, together with a Rettendon resident, Mr Chris Cheater, of dishonesty.
In an e-mail read at October's parish council meeting, they said the accusations were "completely groundless and scurrilous" and demanded an apology.
"Until this serious matter is resolved to our satisfaction our attendance at Rettendon Parish Council is unfortunately held in abeyance," Mr Ride wrote.
Councillor Millane told the Chronicle this week it was difficult to comment on ongoing investigations but said: "We are not happy about it."
All eyes are now on a parish by-election in April, the first time that a vacancy on the council has been contested for as long as anyone can remember.
It has been brought about after Councillor Bob Sankey stepped down late last year and will cost the parish council £1,860, out of a total cost of £2,480.
Normally, a new member would be co-opted on to the council but 14 voters requested an election to fill the vacancy. It is thought Ms Glenys Jones – backed by the Focus Group – will take on Chris Cheater.
"Once she is elected we hope she be an alternative voice on the council," said Scott Wilson, the current editor of The Village Voice. "She is someone who is prepared to speak up for the residents of Rettendon."
Ron Fallows, chairman of the parish council, said: "I share people's concerns about the village becoming a divided community – I hope harmony will prevail."
Jill Mayhew, 62, who has lived in Rettendon all her life, said many residents have been reduced to tears by the controversy. She said: "It's very upsetting.
"A village is meant to have the odd tiff but I've never seen anything like this before. This is my childhood village but I don't think I want to live here any more."
A Chelmsford City Council spokesman said: "It's not our job to mediate between the various groups. Our position is to investigate the complaints made against councillors.
"As there is an ongoing investigation we do not wish to make a further statement."
