Lib Dems call for Mendip planners to be faster and more flexible

12.00.00am GMT Wed 21st Nov 2007

Leaked plans, which would bring some of Frome's everyday houses into extra planning control, are leading to a row.

Mendip Councillor Adrian Dobinson, Lib Dem spokesman for planning strategy, called the Frome Conservation Area Appraisal, a review proposed by Tory cabinet spokesman Councillor John Osman, a 'householder's nightmare'.

Cllr Dobinson said, "it undermined the fundamental principle that planners consult taxpayers about proposed changes to their environment". He said that if the proposed Area Appraisal was passed, it could lead to chaos without an accompanying management policy.

It could mean homeowners will not be allowed to add certain 'permitted development rights' such as double-glazing or a carport. It could add many more months, even years, of delay to the Garsdale regeneration of Frome due to unnecessary and additional bureaucratic interference.

"It is important to publish a design guide to help people do the right things. It governs the way people design houses, if they can run businesses from home, and prioritises taxpayers' money towards street trees, and major developments a long way into the future," says Cllr Dobinson. "The government also requires councils to adopt traffic management policies."

Recently, Norton St.Phillip villagers went to a Mendip planning meeting to make sure a traffic policy was included as part of its conservation area proposals. Cllr Dobinson, supported by ALL planning board councillors, asked Tory Cllr Osman's conservation officers to produce a design management plan with the next appraisal report. Dobinson said "an appraisal exercise is a waste of our money without a design guide to help applicants applying for planning permission".

Tory regeneration spokesman Cllr Osman has no Area management plan. And his conservation planning officers do not intend to publish a design guide in the near future.

The Lib Dems are calling for Mendip planners to stop paying lip service to community involvement and be faster and more flexible in their advice to the public.