WINSFORD councillors are calling for a delay in a decision on a proposed Gypsy and Traveller site because of difficulties with viewing the planning documents.
At a meeting of Winsford Town Council’s planning committee on Monday, councillors were asked to make further comments on the application for 20 permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches on land off Barlow Drive.
However councillors agreed they were not in a position to comment again on the site because they had not been able to access documents on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s website prior to the meeting.
Clr Mike Kennedy said: “I am getting a bit cheesed off at trying to download things from its website and not being able to access information that should be made available. The reason why we are here now is to comment on documents that we have not been able to read. We are suppose to be a front runner for a new up and coming online planning system but there is many days I’ve looked for planning applications and have had to try about five or six times, or some days they are not there at all.”
Clr Steve Smith agreed and said it was a problem he has discussed with residents in his ward.
He added: “I feel we are at a disadvantage. When people call us and say they can’t view the planning applications we have no excuse for it, we have to agree with them. People in are interested in what is going on in Winsford and want to get involved. But as councillors if we can’t get on there to view them ourselves then what hope have we got? It’s quite embarrassing at times. Something as simple as a link to the right information shouldn’t be so difficult.”
A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) said: “The website where you can view planning applications, is checked four times a day because there have been intermittent problems. People can also see planning applications by coming along to the Council offices at Wyvern House in Winsford and Chester’s Forum offices. Winsford Town Council also has a full set of paper copies of all planning applications which are of interest to them, including letters.”
The town council’s planning committee will discuss the Gypsy and Traveller site application further at its February meeting.
A decision on the application from CWACs strategic planning board is expected in March.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.