Residents will be aware that, on 6 April 2024, the Parish Council published a letter of complaint which it had submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC). The complaint was submitted following representations made in person to the Parish Council by two local residents. The residents had expressed strong concerns regarding the process followed by RVBC in determining planning application 3/2024/0011, an application which had sought consent – duly granted - for the kenneling of dogs at land off Moor Lane.
On 29 April 2024, the Parish Council received a detailed reply from RVBC, which members considered at their meeting in May. After careful consideration of the RVBC response, members concluded that it would not be appropriate to further pursue a formal complaint. However, at members’ request the Clerk again wrote to RVBC and encouraged officers to amend the Borough Council’s Scheme of Delegation at the earliest opportunity (thereby ensuring that multiple objections submitted collectively by an agent would henceforth receive due weight).
Following further representations from the two residents, who sought to better understand RVBC’s view that its own Scheme of Delegation had been complied with, the Parish Council contacted RVBC once more. In the interest of transparency, planning officers were invited to write to all those residents who had submitted a consultation response to RVBC regarding application 3/2024/0011 (whether or not this had been done via a planning agent). In members’ view, all such residents were entitled to receive - directly from the Borough Council - an explanation of how that body considered itself to have correctly followed the required procedures. It was not for the Parish Council to justify the actions of the Borough Council in this matter; that responsibility should fall to officers of the Borough Council alone.
The Borough Council has now confirmed that it is unwilling to write to each affected resident individually, but it is content for the Parish Council to publish the explanatory letter dated 29 April. This letter is therefore attached for residents' information.
Should any further clarification be required, please feel free to contact the Clerk (Andrew Glover) on clerk@westbradford.org.uk.
RVBC has indicated that it will respond individually to any resident who contacts the Planning Department directly on this matter. The relevant contact details are:
Planning Department
Ribble Valley Borough Council
Council Offices
Church Walk
CLITHEROE
Lancashire
BB7 2RA
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