We were very concerned to learn that the planning application for the proposed housing development at Park Road/Royal Way to which we had objected, was heard at the Planning Committee as an additional agenda item of which we or any other consultees had been notified. This meant that no one had the opportunity to attend the meeting to speak and put any concerns/objections forward to contribute to any debate prior to any decision being made. The outcome was Full granted which has incensed our Members and we know will have a negative impact on the residents who objected and ultimately on the local area.
We have put in a formal complaint to TWC Planning Department as follows:
We are bitterly disappointed in the underhand way in which this application was bought to the attention of the Planning Committee on Wednesday 14th January as it was not on the agenda and NO notification of its inclusion was given to consultees/objectors that it would be considered. We were all denied the opportunity to make personal representation at the meeting because of the unprofessional manner in which it was handled. Had it have been on the agenda we would have put in a request to speak as we have very strong views, as recorded previously, about it going ahead as it stood. It appears that none of the objections from us, residents and indeed some TWC department officers were fully taken into account despite some of the conditions attached to the permission.
We feel very let down by these actions and feel that the good working relationship that was being built with Planning Department has suffered a serious setback.
We would like to know:
- Why it was deemed to be so urgent that it had to be heard on Wednesday and could not follow due process and appear on the next meeting agenda?
- When was it decided and by whom that it had to go forward to that particular meeting?
- Why were consultees/objectors not advised of the item going forward to Committee therefore denying them the opportunity to speak and denying the Planning Committee the opportunity to hear comments from them?
- If the application was not going to be heard until the next Committee meeting how come the Officers reports and recommendations were ready for submission? How much notice did they have to compile this information for Committee?
Quoted on planning portal: “Please note that the report, additional information and officer recommendation is made available 5 working days before the planning committee meeting, as required by The Local Authorities (Access to Meetings and Documents) (Period of Notice) (England) Order 2002. “
We feel that the consultation process and LA order has been breached on this occasion as no reports/additional information or officer recommendations were available or advised so would like to see an appeal to this decision made collectively for all concerned parties whereby their comments can be heard by the committee and due process followed.
We look forward to a considered response to this official complaint at your earliest convenience and dependent upon its content will consider what options may be available to us for a fair resolution to this matter for all concerned.
We will publish an update when we have that information.