One-off meetings to focus on major plans for Norton (From Gazette & Herald)

One-off meetings to focus on major plans for Norton

12:57pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News

NORTON councillors have agreed to call an extraordinary meeting to deal with major planning applications when they arise.

The move follows concerns the council was not having sufficient time to consider submitted plans before they went before Ryedale District Council.

Mayor Coun Di Keal said that with an increased amount of planning applications coming before the council, a suggestion had been made to set up a separate planning committee.

“The committee could meet on an ad hoc basis depending whether or not it was needed that month,” she said.

“Its decision would be final and the plans would not be returned to the full council to keep in the timescale of the district council.”

However, Coun David Lloyd- Williams said town and parish councils should be given adequate time to consider applications.

“It is unacceptable that we are forced to curtail to the district council,”

he said.

“We need proper time to assess each application and listen to neighbours and people affected.

“We are the second-biggest town in the district and growing. Ryedale District Council should be made to understand they will get a decision when we have had time to make one.”

Coun Ray King said he was in favour of an extra meeting to discuss applications in depth.

“I don’t see why it would take more than half an hour or so,” he said.

Coun Keith Mennell said often councillors had not had the chance to look through the plans before making a decision.

“It is wrong that councillors are voting on these and perhaps we should have a separable planning committee,” he added.

“It would also be useful if someone who knew the area affected by a planning application to be co-opted onto the committee on that occasion.”

Coun Keal said that, particularly with large applications, many of the councillors would wish to comment, which would not happen with a separate committee.

Councillors were also told that any decision made by a planning sub-committee would still have to go before the full council to be ratified.

They therefore agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting when a large planning application was submitted, rather than form a planning committee.