Petition opposing new homes is ‘lost’
Published at 11:15, Monday, 10 March 2008
CARLISLE City Council has apologised to 44 people after it mislaid their petition against new housing in Burgh Road.
Story Homes was granted planning consent for 2.2 acres between Burgh Road and Moor Park Avenue in January.
Councillors heard there had been nine objections but were not told about the petition. When the development control committee met again on Friday it considered overturning its original decision.
But councillors got cold feet when they heard they might have to pay compensation to Story Homes.
Legal officer Mark Lambert warned them: “The council will immediately be liable for compensation for any loss arising from revocation. That could be damages or losses sustained by the developer having to cancel contracts.”
The petition called for the land to be used as a play area or haven for wildlife.
The objectors claimed the development of three and four-bedroom homes would add to traffic and drainage problems and be too large for the plot.
Two petitioners addressed Friday’s meeting.
Heman Holliday, of Moor Park Avenue, said: “We were told this petition had been misplaced. This isn’t acceptable.”
He suggested that a £45,000 payment from Story Homes to provide a play area might have influenced councillors to “rush it through”.
Charlotte Archibald, of Burgh Road, said: “The assessment of this planning application has neither been accurate or comprehensive.
“Consultation with local residents has been wholly inadequate. At least 11 residents near the site weren’t aware of the proposal. We demand that you halt the development and instigate an immediate review of the decision.”
But councillors decided that their decision to grant permission should stand.
Upperby councillor June Martlew said: “If we’d had this [petition], we might have felt sympathy towards the objectors but we couldn’t have changed our decision on planning grounds.”
Planning officer Angus Hutchinson apologised for the mislaid petition, and a report from the council’s development director, Catherine Elliot, admitted “maladministration” which was “deeply regrettable”.
But it added: “The maladministration caused by not including the petition is deeply regrettable. This aside, it is considered that the petition would not have changed the recommendation.”
Objectors who may lodge a formal complaint with the local government ombudsman. Mrs Archibald saidafter the meeting: “It’s an absolute and utter disgrace”.
JWhittle@cngroup.co.uk
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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