A serious contravention of planning procedures by the Council Planners

Wimpey applied for a new 42 dwelling development at Manor Oaks in Tavistock, but after representations by local residents and other objectors, West Devon Borough Planners reduced the number of dwellings to 29. Wimpey, as is their right, appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s decision to reduce the number of dwellings.

Planning procedures dictate that, after the Borough Council have been notified by the Planning Inspectorate of Wimpey’s appeal application, they are then obliged to notify all interested parties (including previous objectors) of the appeal. Objectors are then able to re- present their case with any new objections, to the Inspectorate. In direct conflict with procedures, the Council failed to notify residents and other objectors of the planning appeal, thus denying them their right to make any further representations.

Not only did the Council fail to advise residents of the Wimpey’s appeal but they also failed to notify residents of the Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision to overturn the original decision allowing the 42 dwellings to proceed. Residents were only made aware of the Inspector’s decision after reading in the Tavistock Times, a sales advertisement for 42 dwellings at Manor Oaks!

This is a very serious contravention of planning procedures by the Council Planners. Only the scrutiny of a full formal enquiry will establish the Council’s reasons for this major failing.

Much has been said over recent times of the Borough Council delivering local democracy with planning playing a major role in that debate, in this case that has clearly failed.

Those who have been so dramatically affected by this flawed process are currently considering the next course of action in seeking redress through outside bodies and making them aware of the concern and distress caused.

 

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