ANSWERS DEMANDED OVER EXTENSION CHAOS
Shropshire Council has still not been told the details of the Government’s proposed changes to planning laws announced earlier this month. As a result they have been swamped by enquiries from the public about home extensions and the like without the responsibility to respond.
Cllr Heather Kidd, Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen said “This came out of a meeting at Shirehall on Friday. The Government are very quick to come out with these soundbites but very slow to furnish details to people on the ground.
“I know, from talking to people on the doorstep, that it has caused a lot of fear that this will be a licence to build extensions at will without reference to neighbours or the council. At the same time the Council’s planning department has been inundated with calls from people whose planning applications have been turned down in the past but now think this will enable them to go ahead.
“The very least the Government could do is to hold off on any announcement until they have detailed proposals on an issue like this. The way they have proceeded on this issue has just caused chaos across the country.”
The Government has now changed tack on this issue and it putting g the matter out to consultation. The Council is seeking urgent clarification as to its the content and timescale.