More checks in place after planning bungle (From Gazette)

More checks in place after planning bungle

3:30pm Tuesday 26th May 2009

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NEW procedures are in place to prevent a repeat of a Colchester Council bungle over a planning application for a mobile phone mast.

The application for an O2 mast on the corner of Norman Way and Lexden Road was approved by default, because the authority missed a deadline to reject the plans.

The application and cheque had been left in two separate in trays.

Vincent Pearce, head of environmental and protective services, told the council’s planning committee it was a week before both parts were put together, stamped and logged in the council’s system.

He said the time difference proved critical.

Mr Pearce, who carried out an inquiry into the error, said procedures were now in place to ensure the mistake was not repeated.

He said: “We have introduced procedures to make sure we never end up again with two parts of an application in two parts of the building.

“There will be checks and counter-checks.

“Out of something that was highly embarassing and has angered a lot of people, I think there are some things that will be positives.

“I don’t want to take away from the fact there was an error. We want to look at other processes to see if we can improve them.”

Ray Gamble, planning committee chairman, said: “Everybody makes mistakes and we should not make this mistake again, because it was not the first time.

“There is no accounting for human error but let’s hope nothing like this ever happens again.”

Hundreds of residents had objected to the plans.

O2 did not go ahead with the mast and is considering four new sites, which they have not revealed. The preferred site is set to be unveiled soon.

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