Council 'to be stricter' on planning (From Warrington Guardian)

Council 'to be stricter' on planning

TIGHTER planning controls could be on the way.

The borough council is going to be stricter after an investigation criticised a confusing application in Appleton.

A council report said: "It is increasingly apparent that any leeway given in the presentation of applications can no longer be sanctioned.

"This investigation and its outcome can be used to be more insistent that no aspect of submissions should be in any way incomplete or leave room for doubt.

"An increasingly robust stance in the refusal to validate applications which give scope for ambiguity can be justified."

The problem arose over a plan for a new house next to Stone Cottage in Windmill Lane.

The resident of the cottage thought the final plans for the building were much close to their property than shown in the original plan.

The local Government ombudsman found the new home was an appropriate distance away, but said the planning process had been flawed and confusing - at least 10 different drawings were used alone.