I have just received the following from Mendip District Council’s Planning Team Manager, about the proposed change to how planning applications are handled.

“As you may be aware, the Council’s Planning Board resolved in 2005/06 that all planning applications for development at Commerce Park should be determined by the Board (as opposed to officer delegation).Given that this resolution was made some time ago and a large amount of development has now taken place at Commerce Park, it is considered that the Planning Board should review this resolution and decide whether it is still necessary.   A review is also considered to be appropriate in the context of the Council’s priority to support business development and growth, and the Planning Team’s aim to reduce unnecessary delays in the planning application process. As part of this review, I would be grateful for any comments you may have on this long-standing resolution by 6^th June 2014.  I will then ask the Planning Board to re-visit this resolution and make a recommendation to them, and this will take into account any comments received. ”

Given the environmental impacts of some of the developments on the Commerce Park have had on neighbouring residents, I would like to hear from local people about what this would mean to them, and if they are in favour of the change or not. So please get in touch with me by 5th June!

Update 4th July 2014:

Following feedback from the Coalway Lane Residents Association, me and others, the planning manager at Mendip has stated: ‘I have reviewed the report that went to Planning Board in October 2009 and of the opinion that the resolution made at this meeting – which only requires the Board’s automatic consideration of applications that fall within Areas D, E and J – remains an appropriate balance between the council’s desire to support business development and growth, and to protect residential amenity.  As such, I will not be asking the Planning Board to further consider this matter.’

So that’s good!  The areas D, E and J are areas closest to residential streets (Wellow Drive, Priddy Close, Blagdon Walk, Compton Gardens…) are can be seen here: