Councillors in North Yorkshire have warned that government changes to the planning system will leave communities with less say over new developments.
The concerns have been raised ahead of the introduction of new national rules which will see more planning applications decided by unelected council officers rather than elected members.
The changes, which come into force on Saturday, October 31, will restrict which applications can be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s planning committees.
Under the government’s National Scheme of Delegation, certain categories of planning applications will have to be determined by officers, with councillors no longer able to demand that they are considered by a committee.
Other applications will only be referred to a committee in exceptional circumstances, where both a nominated councillor and senior planning officer agree that they meet strict criteria.
North Yorkshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Mark Crane, has criticised the move, warning that it represents a reduction in democratic accountability.
He said:
“To be clear, this is not a decision of North Yorkshire Council.
“I think we’ve seen a growing emphasis, both from this government and the previous government, on decisions being made by officers rather than elected members.
“That is clearly because successive governments believe councillors are refusing too many planning applications.”
However, Cllr Crane questioned whether there was any justification for the changes in North Yorkshire.
He said:
“I think it’s a diminution of accountability for elected members.
“Elected members should have the opportunity to make more decisions, not fewer.
“I think it’s a shame the government is doing it, and I don’t think our experience in North Yorkshire justifies the government’s decision, because the vast majority of planning applications that go to planning committee are approved.”
Green councillor Andy Brown raised similar concerns, warning the changes could leave residents without an effective voice when controversial developments are proposed.
He said:
“The national government is removing all involvement of democratically elected councillors in planning decisions on developments of less than 10 houses and placing unelected planning officers in positions of near absolute power.
“This risks losing all opportunity for locally elected representatives to get the views of the local community properly heard.
“Trampling over local needs is not a simple way to free up development. It risks leaving ordinary people without any voice as developments that impact significantly on their lives are forced through by those who don’t understand the consequences.”
A report prepared for the council’s executive meeting next week confirms that applications falling within the categories reserved for officers will no longer be eligible for a committee decision, even where councillors have already requested that they be called in.
Although elected members will still be able to submit written representations, they will have no power to insist on a committee hearing for those applications.
For other categories, applications will only reach a committee where they raise significant economic, social or environmental issues, or important planning matters, and both the nominated councillor and officer agree to a referral.
The council report also warns that decisions made by planning committees in breach of the new rules could face judicial review and potentially be overturned.
The changes will additionally reduce the membership of North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee from 15 to 13 councillors.
Council officers say the authority has no choice but to implement the national requirements.
The amendments will be made using delegated powers before being reported to a full council meeting in November.
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