SIR,

In last week's Beacon space was given to both the long term strategic development plan for Monmouth and a planning application that has been outstanding for over 12 months in Parkhouse. 

I find it hard to believe that anyone who is incapable of making a decision on an application is qualified to develop a long term plan.

 The outstanding application in Parkhouse is DC/2008/00673. It is for affordable housing in a greenbelt area with no public transport services on the doorstep.  The developer has very close connections with the planning committee and local residents are concerned that even though there is an existing protocol requiring planning committee members to declare any interest, that will not be sufficient to prevent pre meeting lobbying etc.

 One major concern is why the developer should want to apply for this in the first place.  The application has already been delayed because they did not submit any details regarding how such a development would be managed and a close inspection of the drawings submitted shows that they look as if they are to be built on flat ground whereas the actual site is on a considerable slope. 

These 2 issues alone do not appear to suggest that this is the work of professional developers and there must be some concern about how much longer this speculative application can be allowed to remain.  in addition the developer has already created a new entry onto the site although I cannot see where an application has even been submitted let alone agreed for this!  Why have the council ignored this?  Would this have been the same if I had opened up a new entry onto the road?

 It is unclear why this application still remains current after all this time and having spoken to planning personnel in other authorities they are surprised at the lack of action on this which I understand some authorities would have automatically rejected. 

The conflict of interest also needs to be addressed in a more professional manner and perhaps the council should consider asking another authority to decide this application where there will be no conflicts of interest and only the fundamental facts can be taken into account. in fact to ensure that our planning process is fair to everyone there does need to be much more governance around conflicts of interest.  You wouldn't ask a prisoner to design a prison so why have developers sitting on planning committees?

 A quick glance of the website will show the strength of local opinion on this application yet the council appear to be sitting on the application. The local MP and AM were both made aware of this application 12 months ago and support the need for it to be given a fair hearing.

 So come on Monmouth, pull your fingers out and, one way or another, get on with this application, you may then start to look at the longer term development plan and start to build some credibility with the people you are serving.

 Nigel Williams

(Parkhouse)