COUNCILLORS are concerned that some planning applications are being determined before they have had chance to discuss them and pass on their comments.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s planning committee met earlier this month and were unhappy when they found out that Taunton Deane Borough Council had already approved one application before them.

The councillors were set to discuss plans to cut down a cypress tree at an address in Eight Acre Lane which is part of Wellington conservation area.

But Cllr Mark Lithgow pointed out to colleagues that when he looked at the application details on Taunton Deane’s website he found it had already been given the go-ahead.

Cllr Lithgow said he had been told that some applications were approved by planning officers to help speed up the process unless they deemed them controversial, in which case they would await comments from interested parties.

“It’s not right for an officer to make decisions on applications and decide whether it’s controversial or not,” he said.

“This application about cutting down a tree has already been approved and if you look on the website it says that Wellington Town Council has made no comment – we haven’t made a comment yet!”

He said he felt the council should write to Taunton Deane expressing its disappointment at how the ‘planning process was being short-fused by planning officers’.

Cllr John Thorne added: “I think Cllr Lithgow has been much more restrained in his conversations with Taunton Deane over this than had it been me!

“I think we have to have a dialogue with Taunton Deane about this situation.”

The Mayor, Cllr Gary James, said: “If they want our opinions on planning applications, then ask us, but they should wait until they have them before making any decisions.”