Ending Telford planning committee call-ins slammed as ‘outrageous’

Government imposed changes to the way planning decisions are made have been slammed as an ‘outrageous’ removal of power from the public.

Councillors will be asked next week to confirm changes to the way decisions can be referred to Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning committee for determination by elected councillors.

It will take away the current right of councillors and town and parish councillors to automatically ‘call in’ locally contentious applications.

Large numbers of public objections will also be ruled out as an automatic pass to the planning committee.

The Labour Government is driving to speed up the decision making process to power up economic growth and tackle housing shortages.

Conservative opposition councillors are up in arms over the changes.

Councillor Nigel Dugmore BEM, Conservative planning spokesman, said: “This is outrageous and takes away the voice of local people.

“Labour are letting unelected officers impose anything on a local community. This could mean anything from housing asylum seekers in Telford homes to building more solar farms on farmland.

“Local people’s views won’t matter to Labour under these rules.”

The Muxton councillor adds: “The voice of the people matters. Labour are taking that away.”

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He added: “This is not local decision-making. It is less power for the public.

“The Conservatives will continue to fight Labour to ensure that every voice is heard, not just the ones Labour want to hear.”

Officials have informed councillors that the government has introduced a National Scheme of Delegation for planning applications.

The current system is set to be replaced by two tiers in a ‘gateway’ approach.

One of the tiers sets out that cases may be referred to planning committee where they raise “significant planning issues” or if a referral is “jointly agreed by the head of planning and the chair of planning committee.”

The other tier sets out which applications must be determined by officers – including householder changes.

The plan idea is for the planning committee to focus on strategically important or complex applications.

The government says that residents will still be able to comment and make objections on individual applications which planning officers take into account.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government says the reforms are designed to help speed up local planning decision making, maximise the use of professional skills and judgement of trained planners, and focus the time of elected councillors on the most significant or controversial applications.

“We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory and all areas must play their part as we deliver 1.5 million homes as part of our Plan for Change,” said a spokesperson.

“We will work in partnership with councils so we can deliver 1.5 million homes, while ensuring that we also create the vital infrastructure that people need in their communities.”

The council’s Labour group declined to comment.

Wednesday’s planning committee includes three controversial applications, all of which are there following use of the call in process. They involve the use of call in by Labour and Conservative councillors.

You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/shropshire-star