A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a 15-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site on Rossfield Road will go ahead.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Tory-controlled executive voted unanimously to push through with the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, February 8.
Council leaders had been called on to review the proposals, after failings in the public consultation process were highlighted.
But executive member Cllr Herbert Manley argued the council needed to show it was attempting to meet the requirements for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
He admitted the council did ‘need to have more consultation’, but said there would be further consultations through the planning system.
Speaking at the meeting, Labour leader Cllr Justin Madders said the council could not carry on ‘ignoring’ the views of the public.
“People have a perception this council does not listen. You have a fast growing reputation that you don’t want to listen to what people have to say.”
He urged the executive to start the process again.
“On an issue as sensitive as this there can be no shortcuts, you have to start much earlier and you have to consult in a much more meaningful way,” he added.
“I hope you are big enough to accept you have got this one wrong and to realise the only way to build up the trust of the public again is to start the process again.”
Council leader Cllr Mike Jones said:“We do listen, but we may not agree with what is said.
“It is fundamentally wrong to say we are not listening.”
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