Anger over Monks Cross planning delays (From York Press)

Anger over Monks Cross planning delays

9:13am Friday 25th May 2012 in News

PLANNERS are under fire after delays built up in dealing with routine applications while the Monks Cross scheme was under consideration.

Strensall councillor Paul Doughty said some parish councillors were “disappointed and dissatisfied” about delays in uploading full details of applications to City of York Council’s planning portal.

“Parish councillors continue to have to chase up the city council for information that should be readily at hand,” he said.

“It also puts them in poor light with residents who may think that they lack interest. This is completely unfounded of course, as they show complete dedication without any financial reward. Delays to registering applications alone mean that it can be some time before colleagues are even aware that an application has been lodged.”

He said he understood the Monks Cross applications had been given as a reason for some of the most recent delays, and he could appreciate the urgency, but it did not excuse the bulk of the delays and problems experienced over recent months.

Architect Matthew Laverack has also complained to the authority over delays in dealing with an application he made for a single dwelling in Elvington.

He said when he rang the council to complain, an official told him the delays were caused by “sheer volume of work” and in particular all resources were being directed to the Monks Cross applications, and therefore his application would just have to wait.

He said the officer said he had been directed to give priority to the Monks Cross applications and no staff were available to deal with his submission.

Bill Woolley, the council’s director of City strategy, said it was committed to getting planning applications on to its planning portal within the shortest timeframe possible.

“However, an almost doubling of planning applications over a number of months has meant that staff have been under increased pressure, which resulted in some temporary delays to a small number of applications,” he said.

“Staff have worked hard to ensure that these planning applications are processed and I can confirm that the portal is now up to date.”