WAVERLEY Council is poised to scrap changes to its system for handling planning applications, brought in two years ago under the Liberal Democrats. In the new year there will be a return to applications being decided by councillors who represent the actual locality involved in the plans under debate – a manifesto committment by the new Conservative council. The move represents a U-turn on the system introduced when the four area committees were replaced by two much larger ones, with councillors from all areas. An initial six-month trial left councillors complaining that the new meetings had been long and poorly attended, with many councillors apparently disinterested when the agenda didn't include any applications from their own patch. The quality of decision making at the end of marathon meetings was called into question, with a suggestion that plans were going through 'on the nod'. A full scale review was undertaken and on Tuesday, Waverley's ruling executive backed the suggestion that four area planning committees and a joint planning committee be created, with the aim of improving local councillor involvement in planning decisions. The wards of Chiddingfold & Dunsfold; Haslemere Critchmere & Shottermill; Haslemere East & Grayswood and Hindhead, will be covered by the southern area committee. It is proposed that the new structure be implemented from January 1 and reviewed in September. For major planning applications, the four committees will combine to form one joint planning committee. Brian Ellis, portfolio holder for planning, said: "There is still much logistical work to be done to make sure that we can begin this new process from the new year, and in particular all councillors of the area planning committees will need to complete training in material planning considerations and enforcement, before making decisions. "We have consulted the town and parish councils and have received their full support."
