Do you not agree that Cherwell district councillors on the planning committee are there to make right and proper decisions on planning applications before them?
A recent application for a proposed housing development in Weston On The Green was passed despite only one-third of the 15 committee members voting in favour, while being opposed by the parish council and local residents.
The reason for this being that seven councillors having responsibility for making a decision abstained, because, I quote: “Sometimes it’s difficult to support or oppose, especially if the area is not known to a member.”
Surely, over and above the extensive dossier provided, it is each councillor’s responsibility to investigate applications before them in order to fulfil their responsibility as a committee member!
There is surely something inherently wrong with a planning system that allows this number of abstentions, thereby degrading the process.
Graham Barnett Weston On The Green Parish Council, Westlands Avenue, Weston On The Green
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