THERE may be increased capacity of the planning enforcement team at Cotswold District Council after a proposal by the cabinet yesterday. 

The aim of the proposal for more funding to the team will be quicken processes and ensure more developers are deterred from failing to comply with planning requirements.

Commenting on the proposal, which is due to be discussed by the full council on Tuesday, cabinet member for planning services, Cllr Mark MacKenzie-Charrington, said: “We encourage people to let us know when they believe that a developer is in breach of the planning system, and it is our duty to act on this information and address it as quickly as possible.

"However, despite their best efforts, it is difficult for the council’s enforcement team to keep on top of what is a very heavy caseload, and this can inevitably result in delays in attending to complaints.

“By increasing the capacity of the team, we should be able to spread the workload more evenly and respond better to public concerns about enforcement.

"The extra resource should expedite processes and provide residents with more reassurance that we tackle breaches quickly.”

During a public questions session at the cabinet meeting, Save Our Cirencester member Patrick Moylan also expressed concern about low numbers of staff in the planning department.

He said this meant that there was a "one-sided engagement between planners and developers" of the proposed 2,350 Bathurst development.

He continued: "It would be impossible to believe that this particular council's response to the increasing demands placed on planning have not been impoverished by its policies on staffing numbers.

In response, council leader Lynden Stowe wrote: "The council has committed what it considers to be an appropriate dedicated level of resource to the Bathurst development application, combining officer resource with consultants and other external support to ensure that the relevant expertise is available to address what is a complex matter.

"However, in terms of our own staff, we have back-filled the resources required for this so as to ensure that it has not impacted detrimentally on the other work of the service."

Mr Moylan also expressed concern that capable consultants can be expensive. Meanwhile, housing developers have been able to afford such an expense. 

He asked if such an "inequality" would mean the district council is unable or unwilling to resist over development, such as the Bathurst development.

An answer to his question will be submitted in written form.