Councillors on Cumberland Council’s planning have been advised to think carefully before ignoring the recommendations of officers because successful appeals can cost the authority money.
The committee met at Carlisle Civic Centre yesterday and were discussing a recent decision by the Planning Inspectorate.
Redacre Investments LLP was hoping to build the two retail units with seven apartments on the first floor alongside four two-storey townhouses on the site.
The firm lodged an appeal against the decision and it was overturned by the inspectorate.
Iain Fairlamb, head of service for the Allerdale area at Cumberland Council, said the decision to refuse permission was taken last August despite it being recommended for approval.
He said that the inspector who investigated the appeal had also decided to award costs to the applicant and added: “Inspectors are able to award costs where they consider there has been unreasonable behaviour.”
Mr Fairlamb said this had put pressure on council resources and any move against officer advice needed careful consideration.
Jane Meek, the council’s assistant director of thriving place and investment, said councillors needed to take such decisions seriously and there should be a healthy debate about it before any decision was taken.
Councillor Jimmy Grisedale (Seaton, Labour) said he was a member of the Allerdale committee that refused it and he still stood by the decision.
“We did want to make changes to it,” he said.
When the application was originally refused the main issue was the effect on road safety – particularly regarding parking bays on the Frazer Street access.
Ms Meek said members’ local knowledge was important and added: “It’s about working together on these things.”
She said that applications could be deferred until the matter could be explored further rather than refusing them.
Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) said he took on board any issues that might prove expensive to the council.
He said they had three new applications to consider that morning and he had given each one careful consideration. He said: “If the democratic process means anything at all we need to be prepared to stand on principle.”
Ms Meek said that if they did go against the officer’s recommendation then they had to provide justification according to planning grounds.
Councillor Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) said that, as councillors, residents would share their views on local issues and added: “There was tons and tons of local opposition.”
