Agenda item

Question from Mark Boleat

Will the Chairman explain the rationale for Committee papers that run to over 800 pages in length including over 450 pages on a single item, most of which are repetitive.  More specifically will the Chairman explain why it is considered necessary to circulate early single communication about a particular application to the Committee, and will he tell the Committee whether this practice is followed by other London councils?

Response

This application has attracted a substantial amount of comments which is why the papers are so long. It is almost inevitable that these will repeat similar objections and grounds for support. A table in the report summarises the points made and where in the report the matter is dealt with.

Planning Authorities across London adopt a variety of approaches.

The Chairman sought the views of Members as to whether or not they would wish to access public comments in a different way and not to have them attached to the report and it was agreed that officers should report back to the Committee with some alternative options and information on the approaches adopted elsewhere.

Question from Marianne Fredericks

The viability reports are crucial - why were these not sent to Members?

Response

Members were given the opportunity to view them before the meeting, they couldn’t be circulated as part of the agenda as some of the information was commercially sensitive and not available to the public.