The MP has concerns about the transparency and level of accountability involved in this process – which allows KCC for example to consider the Axton Chase School application even though it is a KCC maintained school – and wants further safeguards introduced to protect the interests of local residents.

“The present system which allows county councils such as Kent to give THEMSELVES planning permission for their OWN developments has to be reviewed. When we are dealing with controversial applications such as the Axton Chase application it is absolutely essential that the scrutiny process is seen to be fair and as open and transparent as possible. The current process is open to accusations that applications have simply been rubber stamped rather than scrutinised in a meaningful fashion – which is an accusation we have to avoid at all costs,” said Dr Stoate.
The MP has written to the Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper, calling for a number of changes to the system including:

Consideration by full Council – rather than just the Council’s planning committee - of all planning applications that the Council has an interest in ie applications that relate to land or services owned or run by the Council. This would increase the level of scrutiny of the application by ensuring that ALL councillors including those representing the community affected by the application are able to have their say on the application. It would also ensure that all residents are able to hold their own representatives to account for the decisions they take.

Allowing third parties the right of appeal in this instance against the decision taken by the full Council (at present there is no third party right of appeal against a planning decision). This would make sure that the interests of local residents directly affected by the application receive greater protection and would ensure that the planning system’s ability to deal with public concerns about an application is strengthened.

Note

An outline application for the new Axton Chase Secondary School in Longfield is due to be considered by Kent County Council’s Planning Committee on 16 August. The proposed new school is to be located on the school’s present playing fields (green belt land). An application for housing on the site of the present school is due to be considered separately by Dartford Borough Council.