Planning disputes

CBC has come under a lot of criticsm over a town centre planning application which was dealt with by delegated powers by officers. Unhelpful press headlines generated by different groups of interested parties have put Councillors in a very unfair light and I would like to use this column to say why. Whilst councillors are able to react to planning issues providing they are using sound planning policies as the basis of their case they are better able to react to community pressure if those concerned use the system called for of objection to planning applications and involve Councillors from a very early stage. The planning signs posted around the site and letters sent out to close neighbours as well as the details available through Dorset 4u all give details as to how to object. In the case of the issue at hand one or two objections were lodged within the time period,had twelve objections been raised or a petition this would have automatically triggered the referral to committee and indicate to Councillors community concern. It occurs to me that those now criticising Council should be looking inwards and asking themselves why if the application was of such concern did they not notify their concerns to Councillors within the time period.