Democracy Losing Out In Race For Planning Applications

3.36.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Oct 2004

Lib Dem councillors called this week for assurances that members of the public will not have their rights curtailed as a result of the reduction in the scope of the applications that are heard by the Planning Committee.

Under new plans many of the decisions about whether or not to grant planning applications for small household developments, such as extensions etc, will now be taken solely by Council officers. This means even where objections are raised by neighbours or other interested parties residents could be denied the right to have their say. The new scheme requires councillors to "call in" any decision they think should be heard by the Committee, otherwise they are automatically decided elsewhere.

Cllr David Sawyer, Lib Dem Planning Spokesperson, said:

"Under the new scheme there is a significant danger that the democratic rights of local residents will be sacrificed for the cause of improvements in Town Hall efficiency. Many local people are rightly concerned that they will be denied the right to put to the Planning Committee their objections about proposed developments in their neighbourhood. Planning meetings are the most popularly attended of all Council meetings, and the right of an objector to address the meeting is a vital part of the process. But this right will be taken away unless the planning application is called in within 14 days of being listed by council officials.

I am very concerned that this right will be taken away simply because residents fail to notify their local councillors of their objections or their councillors fail to notify the Council within the 14 day period. It is essential that local residents do not lose their valuable rights to have their objections heard by councillors, as well as officers. We need a scheme that is efficient but doesn't discourage participation by members of the public. I call on all local residents with concerns about developments in their neighbourhood to contact their local councillor and ensure that their views are properly represented."

ENDS