I WAS surprised to read the article titled “Watch group for planners” in the Advertiser (8 April) where two Lib Dem town councillors were complaining about the recent planning application at the Haydon Cars site.

At the meeting in February, permission was given on a split vote.

Let’s be clear, the site has been a running sore, not just for residents but also for the councillors who have represented the area for many years. Sadly, no amount of “watching” or intervention has persuaded the site owner to develop it sympathetically.

The suggestion that the comments from the town council were ignored is not true.

Far from ignoring their comments, I referred to them publicly at the meeting stating that I agreed with three out of four of them.

In addition, all the key elements from comments received by TVBC are always included in the planning reports.

This was no exception.

What I did find disappointing was that despite being present at the meeting, no town councillor took the trouble to address the committee.

One would have thought that if the report contained the errors suggested, then someone from the town council would take the opportunity to speak up about that.

Indeed, had they done so they may have persuaded the one extra committee member needed to vote against, meaning that the application would have been rejected.

More generally, if there are concerns about planning matters or the planning process, residents should contact their TVBC councillor.

They have direct access to the planning department and hence are best placed to answer detailed questions.

Finally, the suggestion that the town council is setting up a planning investigations team may indicate where part of their 90 per cent council tax hike is going to be spent?

TVBC Cllr David Drew