Claims new planning rules removing democratic right to challenge applications
Central government is imposing planning policies on what should be a democratic process and removing the opportunity for councils or residents to challenge applications, a Wilmslow
By Knutsford Guardian
A Wilmslow councillor has accused central government planning changes of weakening the public’s ability to challenge housing applications after Cheshire East approved a controversial 125-home scheme on peatland near Cumber Lane.
Town councillor Tim Higgins made the comments after the strategic planning board backed the proposal, with planning officers and the chair saying they were tied by national planning policy. He said the changes raised questions over how much planning boards could challenge applications and argued that the public’s opportunity to air views was being limited.
The approval was for 125 homes on peatland in Wilmslow, close to where Lindow Man was found. The board also approved a separate controversial application for 168 homes in Wilmslow at the same meeting.
Councillors on the board had said they were acting “with a heavy heart”, according to the source report, because recent planning policy changes left them with little room to manoeuvre.
Higgins said the situation was “absolutely ridiculous” and claimed the government had enabled people to go against what they really think.