Conservative councillor and MSP claim Moray Council planning process hindered during coronavirus lockdown

LOCAL politicians have raised concerns about Moray Council's planning processes during the coronavirus lockdown.

Councillor Claire Feaver (Forres, Conservative) and Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston believe that contentious proposals could be granted approval without proper scrutiny while councils are operating under emergency powers.

Cllr Feaver, a member of the planning committee, is worried about the way communities are consulted for large-scale proposals such as wind farms.

She said: "Previously, developers hosted exhibitions and made presentations to representative bodies like community councils. Communities had the chance to debate the pros and cons, and provide feedback.

"Under new Scottish Government guidance everything is being done online. Local people are concerned that this new system makes it much easier for developers to get their way unchallenged."

Cllr Feaver claims that, as the planning committee is no longer meeting and site visits have ceased, major and complex applications are no longer being scrutinised. Decisions which had previously been taken by the committee are now being taken by council officers under new powers of delegation unless the specific application has been called in by the emergency committee.

She said: "The longer the emergency goes on, the more likely it is that important planning decisions may take place without elected representatives being able to properly scrutinise and vote on them, on behalf of the constituents.

"It is important that the administration avoids contentious proposals being decided behind closed doors."

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has been contacted by constituents concerned about proposals.

He said: "Communities need to have confidence that their opinions have weight in the planning process. That confidence has been undermined by decisions made by local elected representatives being overturned, on appeal, by the Scottish Government."

However, cllr Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP), disagrees.

He said: "Cabinet members will see all significant planning applications before they are decided and any individual member of that cabinet can call an application in for full consideration. Every group in the council can substitute representatives to ensure good experience of the issues being considered which has happened.

"We are in a global emergency and none of this is ideal but the entire council agreed this was the best way to go forward."

Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead pointed out that the coronavirus outbreak means unprecedented times in which public health is the priority.

He said: "The current restrictions mean that the Moray Council is having to deal with all sorts of issues in new ways. It would not be sensible for councillors from different parts of Moray to be meeting or carrying out site visits for planning applications.

"Nevertheless, the local authority needs to ensure that a transparent decision making process is in place in the meantime."