A Rutherglen councillor has attacked “ridiculous” restrictions on viewing planning applications in the local area.
Robert Brown, who is a Liberal Democrat councillor for Rutherglen South, made the remarks after the Reformer revealed some locals are so disgruntled with the proceedings that they have submitted a complaint to an ombudsman.
They were unhappy regarding an application for an extension on Douglas Drive in Cambuslang, where they were unable to view the planning committee meeting to debate the issue or to make representation regarding their case.
The application received more than 50 complaints but was approved unanimously by South Lanarkshire’s planning committee with no debate.
Mr Brown said: “The planning process is too much weighted towards applicants, rather than wider public issues and the interests of the community.
“I managed to get the council to improve the information they gave to objectors following the difficulties on certain cases like that around 7 Douglas Drive.
“When I was in the Scottish Parliament, the Liberal Democrats got some significant improvements made including introducing the pre-application community consultation in significant planning applications.
“The present Covid restrictions mean that the public can’t even view the planning proceedings to which they are objectors. This is quite ridiculous and I see no reason why the council could not provide a facility for members of the public to tune into planning hearings and watch what goes on on teleconference.
“I also think that there should be greater rights for objectors to be heard at Planning Committees.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: "Planning officers will always consider all objections made to an application and address these as an integral part of their response in their report to the Planning Committee. Under certain circumstances, an applicant or objector is able to ask for a Hearing before the Planning Committee, and more information on this is available by contacting Planning Officers through the details on the council's website.
"Objectors requesting a hearing will be sent a list of the other objectors and will be asked to appoint a maximum of three people to speak to the committee. With Public Health Guidance still prohibiting the public from attending physical committee meetings, the current procedure is for an invitation to be sent to join the committee meeting via Microsoft Teams.”
