Consistent only in its inconsistency
Somerset Confidential investigates some pretty incongruous inconsistencies in the way solar applications in Somerset have been decided. The rules are being made a mockery of as James Garrett explains.
Dear readers
Today’s edition of Somerset Confidential® is for our paying subscribers. Much of what we do we see as a public service. But we still have bills to pay. And as we strive to do more, we have more bills to pay. You take the point?
We think there is a lot to do. If you’d like to help us do it you can do so here:
So as well as our free service we offer a paid subscription which costs £30 a year. That’s 58p a week, half the price of a pack of McCoy's Ridge Cut Flame Grilled Steak Crisps!
For that you get:
4 extra articles a month, important articles like today’s.
The chance to have your say, to comment argue and debate our articles
full access to our back catalogue (it is getting bigger every week)
and the satisfaction of supporting one of Somerset’s most innovative journalism projects.
We like to think of it like this. Support us – and you are supporting a better governed Somerset. You can join and support us here….
Thank you
Andrew Lee - editor
Consistent only in its inconsistency
by James Garrett
In recent weeks two similar and equally contentious planning applications have been considered by Somerset Council. Both came from developers seeking permission to build huge solar parks on productive farmland in bucolic settings at risk of flooding.
One application, to the council's East planning committee, was dismissed out of hand for failing to meet national and local planning guidelines. The other, dealt with by the West team, went through - albeit by the slimmest of margins - despite having many similar faults.
Somerset might have had a unitary council for the past 15 months but the markedly different decisions cause some to wonder whether some county-wide planning consistency might not be too much to ask for.
Councillors will, rightly, heed the recommendations made by planning officers - not least because, the legal officer will remind them, they must have sound planning reasons to go against the professionals' advice.
Yet, wonder council taxpayers, how helpful is it when two planning officers, faced with two similar proposals, make widely different recommendations to councillors?
two planning officers, faced with two similar proposals, make widely different recommendations to councillors
A council spokesperson said, "Whilst Somerset is one council, the planning function is still operated on the four ex-district areas. Work is carrying on to align these but alignment can take some considerable time."
She added, "Planning decisions are debated by members of the individual planning committee via the democratic process. Each committee could come to different conclusions based on the information in committee reports and the debate."