Planning decisions dictated by finance (From Chorley Citizen)

Planning decisions dictated by finance

9:20am Wednesday 7th January 2009 in

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I am writing in response to the letter in the Citizen, December 24, regarding planning permission for flats at Chorley Road/Daisy Hill Drive.

We have had a similar experience of Chorley Council planning department’s total lack of consideration for local people.

A two-bedroomed bungalow that only required some modernisation has been demolished and is being replaced by a five bedroomed house at 109 Chorley Road, Heath Charnock about half a mile from the Daisy Hill site.

I believe you are correct in thinking that decisions that can ruin people’s lives are made by a single person.

Even when a decision is referred to the development committee, the committee is advised by the case officer, and unfortunately in my experience they follow his advice.

When planning permission was given for 109, it was on the condition that the roof design was modified.

The applicant then re-submitted plans with several extra windows and doors also added but these were refused and the only change permitted was the roof modification. He then went ahead and he has built the house with all the extra windows and doors.

When the planning department was informed of this they advised him to apply for planning permission so he now has applied for permission for all the features that were previously not approved.

The case officer had already completed and circulated his report advising the development committee to approve the proposal well before the due date for objections.

I think this best sums up Chorley Borough Council planning department’s attitude to any objections.

Seventeen local people, the Parish Council, Pat Case, and Lindsay Hoyle MP made objections to the above.

It is becoming apparent that planning decisions are being made for financial reasons.

If permission is refused then the applicant has the right to appeal and this can prove costly for the council in barrister’s fees, however if the application is successful then the objectors have no right of appeal - very democratic.

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