A COUNCILLOR has said he is not “going to roll over” and accept that town and parish councils are no longer able to voice an opinion on planning applications.
Councillors at Wellington Town Council’s planning committee were appalled when they were told by colleague Cllr Keith Wheatley on February 3 that Somerset Council – the planning authority – was no longer going to take any notice of local opinions.
His comments came after finding out why a controversial planning application to build a house in a garden in South Street, Wellington, had been given approval without having been discussed at length at a Somerset Council planning meeting.
Cllr Wheatley was told by Cllr Simon Coles, chairman of the Somerset Council’s Area West planning committee, the county authority would only be taking on board comments from statutory bodies such as highways in the future when determining applications – bypassing objections from town and parish councils and local people.
Cllr Steve Mercer, speaking at the town council’s planning meeting on February 3, said that Somerset Council ignoring the views of local councillors and local people was putting local democracy at risk.
“I’m not just going to roll over and have my tummy tickled over this,” he said. “I’m appalled by what I’ve heard.
“I’m not on this council to be told by someone in London or Somerset Council what I can or cannot say. We have to make a nuisance of ourselves and stand up for ourselves – this is what democracy is all about.”
Cllr John Thorne said: “I am absolutely appalled to hear this – it’s awful. Why do we bother to express a view on anything if Somerset Council is going to ignore us?”
Cllr Andy Govier said: “I’m shocked by this – we give our comments here in earnest.”