Several parish councils across the Cotswolds have expressed concerns over a new planning protocol, with some councillors claiming the new process lacks transparency and scrutiny.

Before planning rules were changed, any resident or parish council could request via their elected district councillor representative that planning decisions were reviewed and assessed by the Cotswold District Council planning committee.

However, the current administration at the district council changed the procedure late last year, and now only applications with “legitimate planning reasons” will be allowed to be scrutinised and double checked by this independent committee.

The decision as to what is and is not legitimate planning reasons is made by the chair of the planning committee and a handful of council officers. These decisions take place behind closed doors and no members of the public or other councillors can attend.

This has led to complaints by some councillors who claim the new process lacks transparency and scrutiny.

The new protocol has already resulted in a number of controversial decisions leaving parish councils across the Cotswolds feeling disenfranchised and claiming they have lost their voice.

Cllr Mike Scott, chair of Quenington Parish Council, said: “There is a clear democratic deficit here.

“Our district councillor asked for a recent controversial application to go to the planning committee, but his request was refused without discussion.

“How are we to have any confidence that the right planning process has been followed when everything has happened behind closed doors?”.

Birdlip Parish Councillors are also deeply concerned about the new protocol following a recent request that a delegated authority request be revised.

Cllr Julian Lavington, chair of Birdlip & Cowley Parish Council, said: “When controversial planning applications are debated in public, it allows residents to watch and participate in the process.

“Whether we agree with the ultimate outcome or not, at least we felt listened to.

“I don’t understand how this new system encourages local people to engage with the democratic process!

“We are being shut out of decisions which effect our day to day lives in the heart of our own communities.”

Ebrington Parish Council has also been left frustrated and concerned after a planning application was approved which will restrict the single access road to their grade one listed church.

Cllr Andy Warren, chair of Ebrington Parish Council, said: “The harm vs benefit of this application is debatable and open to the specific interpretation of an individual council employee.

“Previously we would have taken comfort that this decision would be reviewed and debated in public by a committee of elected members.

“Now we have no right of reply and we feel our objections have been ignored.”

In response, a Cotswold District Council spokesperson, said: “The purpose of the planning committee is to consider planning applications that relate to the more strategic planning matters, e.g. major developments or those which may be contrary to the local plan.

“Ward councillors have always had the ability to ask that planning applications should be referred to planning committee at the request of their constituents or town and parish councils and this is still the case. This process is referred to as a ‘call in’ request.

“However, a number of the ‘call in’ requests made previously did not relate to material planning considerations and led to delays in the determination of applications.

“To ensure that there were no unnecessary delays, the council, like many other councils, adopted a process where call in requests are considered by the chair and vice chair of planning committee along with a senior planning officer and a senior lawyer.

“No planning decisions are made at these meetings and the reasons for the outcome of call in requests are published to all councillors.

“The only question considered is whether the matter should be referred to the planning committee because there are legitimate planning reasons.

“Alternatively, if there are no legitimate planning reasons, the officer continues to make the decision under the authority already delegated to them by council.

“The process adopted by council is intended to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in determining applications.

“If an applicant or objector is unhappy with the outcome of a planning application, they have the ability to seek redress through the normal channels.”