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Councillors have said they are “really uncomfortable” with changes that will see the vast majority of planning applications in Bradford decided behind closed doors.
But the new rules will still be introduced across the country from the end of the month.
What are the changes?
Sweeping changes to England’s planning system will mean that from October 31 only “significant” planning applications will go before planning committees.
All other applications will be decided by planning officers, even if they attract a huge number of objections.
The changes were discussed by members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday where members voiced concerns about the plans.
How does this affect Bradford?
In Bradford, larger applications are automatically made by planning committees – either the Regulatory and Appeals Committee or the Bradford Planning Panel.
The majority of small and medium sized planning applications are made by planning officers.
But councillors can ask for any application in their ward to be made by a committee.
A significant number of objections can also trigger the application being given to a committee to decide.
If they do go to committees, councillors can only refuse applications for planning reasons, not because people have objected.
Many of the smaller applications are currently made by the Bradford Planning Panel.
How will the changes work?
This panel will meet next week, with the applications up for decision including plans for a padel and pilates studio at Dudley Hill Business Park and a two-storey residential annex at a property on Beech Crescent in Barkerend.
These applications would be unlikely to be decided by councillors at a public meeting following October 31 sweeping changes.
Under the new rules, applications could be brought before a committee if they pass a “gateway” test.
A planning officer and the chair of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee would decide whether applications were significant enough to be decided by Councillors.
'Residents need chances to be heard'
At Thursday’s meeting Councillor Matt Edwards, current Chair of the Committee, said: “I’m really uncomfortable with this change.
“Ever since I joined the committee, I’ve said it needs to be more open and that residents need chances to be heard.
“But that has been eroded bit by bit, and this is the next step of that.
Councillor Matt Edwards (Image: Green Party)
“My main concern with this comes down to what ‘significant means.’ It can mean different things to different people.
“I am opposed to this change, but this isn’t a political committee – whether we like it or not, this is the new law.”
He pointed out that when applications come to planning meetings, councillors can pressure developers to commit to certain conditions, on the record.
He questioned whether planning officers making decisions behind closed doors would have as much sway.
'Some things are subjective'
Chris Eaton, head of planning, said councillors would still be able to make representations on planning applications that would be considered by officers.
Asked what type of applications could come before planning committees in future, he said major housing developments, commercial schemes, infrastructure developments and certain listed building works.
Councillor Mohammed Ali Islam (Your Bradford Independents, Manningham) said he had often heard that decisions can be subjective.
He asked: “If it is subjective, what reassurance can you give us that the correct decisions are being made by planning officers?”
Mr Eaton said: “Some things are subjective, like design and what a building will look like. But like now, we have to follow planning policy.”
A 'dog with no teeth'
Councillor Jason Townend (Reform, Wibsey) said the changes left councillors and planning panels as a “dog with no teeth” adding: “It feels unfair for residents.”
Mr Eaton said: “Me sitting here telling you this doesn’t mean I agree with it.
"I’m just reporting to you what the Government has said.”
He told members that the council would still have planning enforcement powers to tackle incidents where people don’t stick to planning rules.
Any point retaining the Bradford Planning Panel?
Cllr Edwards pointed out that the changes did mean that there would be much fewer incidents where councillors go against advice by planning officers.
Recent incidents like this have seen a planning panel refuse an application to build a McDonalds drive-thru in Bingley, despite planning officers recommending it for approval.
That decision was later overturned by a Government planning inspector.
Other decisions have seen panels approve developments that have been recommended for refusal.
Councillor Andrew Loy (Cons, Ilkley) asked if there was much point in retaining the Bradford Planning Panel if so many applications were going to be decided by officers.
Mr Eaton said: “The chances are we’re not going to be getting many applications coming to the panel.”
The committee reluctantly agreed the changes.