Tories grab control over whether planning applications even go to a planning committee.

After the fiasco of residents not being allowed to speak at the planning committee meetings discussing Rockwood and the play area behind Meadow Mead - there is one bit of good news.

We made a huge fuss and S Glos has finally agree to restore the right for residents to speak at committee on line. Something most other councils found no difficulty in keeping when they switched to digital meetings, but S Glos said they couldn't.

But at the same time they have TAKEN AWAY the right of local councillors to refer planning applications to committee. At present as long as three local members want it referred, they have a right to take it to committee for a decision - so when officers are going against what residents want, local councillors can force it to committee so residents can speak and hope to persuade the committee. But now, the Chair of the Planning Committee is going to be given the power to decide whether that is allowed.

The Chair is not local, and on past form does not listen to residents. The Tories have imposed this new system, where they control what goes to committee and what is pushed through irrespective of local views. We will monitor carefully, and keep residents posted. Your Lib Dem local councillors will continue to try to get a fair hearing for residents when officers are not backing resident

Planners give go ahead to massive care home on listed historic park right by listed building in Y ate.

On Thurs 25 S Glos planners gave the green light to a massive 3 storey nursing home occupying the historic gardens of the Grade II Rockwood House. Residents and the town council objected strongly. They were denied the right to speak at the meeting and only allowed to put in written comments - because whilst other councils have managed to retain the right to speak at on line meetings, S Glos still insists it is too difficult. Worse, although they broadcast the meeting live, the live broadcast failed during the meeting, so effectively for part of the meeting the councillors were meeting in private. Cllr Mike Drew spoke passionately in support of residents. Trouble is most of the councillors don't come from round here, and seemed in a hurry to finish the meeting.

This will put a 3 story massive building right next to existing dwellings, and although partly dug into th eground the only way they could think of to screen it is massive 3 storey high leylandii. And the Tories on planning think this building is suitable to go in the listed gardens of by historic Rockwood House (the georgian one). Residents understandably feel cheated.

We need nursing home places but they don't have to be done like this. Surely we can do better?