WIRRAL Council’s director of law is investigating after claims a decision was only voted on after protesters had left a planning meeting.
Residents living near a training centre for spraying motorcycles, off Thirlmere Drive in Liscard, had opposed an application to modify the premises.
The plans had been opposed by a petition of 90 signatures from separate households and the council received nine individual letters of objection, with “many objectors” attending the meeting at Wallasey Town Hall.
Liscard Conservative councillor Leah Fraser also objected and attended the meeting.
Members of the planning committee voted against a motion to throw out the application, but did not vote to accept a recommendation it be passed until, protesters had left.
Cllr Fraser said the decision had then been made in the absence of those who had attended to object.
Ms Fraser, prospective Conservative MP for Wallasey, said: “It’s outrageous that the decision to approve this application was made after residents had left the meeting.
“The correct procedure was not followed and therefore in my opinion the decision is flawed and invalid.
“The way planning applications are dealt with baffles many people at the best of times. Mistakes as we saw at the meeting further damage the confidence that residents have in the process.” Chairman of the committee David Elderton said it was “a storm in a teacup”, although he understood the concerns of councillors Leah Fraser and Chris Blakeley who attended the meeting.
He said: “Someone moved that the application be refused, which fell three votes to eight, and as a result it was clear that the application was going to be approved.
“What appeared to go wrong was that a vote on the substantive motion was not taken immediately.
“It was about five minutes after people had left – but that vote approved the application eight votes to three, with the same people voting.
“It was all done during the course of the meeting and with all members of the committee present.
“All I can say is that it has been reported to Bill Norman, director of law, and he is deciding if there is anything to be resolved.”
A spokeswoman for Wirral Council said: “The director of law is aware of the concerns raised about the planning committee meeting and is looking into it.”
