MEMBERS of the community have criticised the council's decision to approve retrospective planning permission, despite being informed of two errors in the consultation process. 

At Wednesday's meeting of the Cumbria County Council Development Control and Regulation Committee, councillors voted to approve the granting of retrospective permission for the RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) plant to make incinerator fuel from waste at the Hespin Wood site. 

One error regarded the description of the proposal on the council's planning website which did not show the council's intention to grant retrospective permission, with the other in reference to the shortening of the public consultation expiry date shown on the website. 

However, the council have stated that this was not the date set out in the original consultation letters and all recommendations would be heard before the date of the Committee. 

READ MORE: Council error 'strikes at the heart of local democracy'

Community members have called this 'un-democratic', as they feel it left anyone who took information from it to believe they had longer to respond to the consultation than the date the council was working to.

The committee heard written statements and speeches from objectors, to which they say the committee failed to address the issues raised.

Sally Tears of Rockcliffe Action Group said "The committee knew the consultation had not been carried out correctly.  The Council's errors have impacted people wanting to object.  It is appalling that the committee knew about the errors but still went ahead."

CRAIN spokesperson David Mudge said "We showed Councillors at the meeting that the proposal does not comply with the council's own Local Plan, but they went ahead anyway."

The objectors say that one councillor even appeared to fall asleep during the meeting and on seeing that the member had been photographed, the Chair said to the person concerned "perhaps it would be better if you abstain".

"Not all members were even paying attention and even those that were seemed content to leave numerous important concerns unanswered," Mr Mudge added. 

"The meeting confirmed what we suspected - the Council does what it wants without respecting proper process. The Council doesn't comply with its own policies and disregards residents' objections.  The Council's own company has constructed an unauthorised building. The Council's own company failed to comply with planning conditions.

"Despite that, the council's committee has rewarded failure with permission. There is no accountability. Carlisle residents will suffer the consequences," Ms Tears said. 

In response, a county council spokesperson said: "The Planning Committee, which is made up of 18 members from all political parties, takes its role very seriously and is committed to ensuring fairness and accurate representation of the planning process.

"Planning decisions must follow strict rules and procedures according to planning law. This process includes public consultation – with the views of the general public always given great consideration as part of any planning process.”

READ MORE: 'The council is trying to smuggle through retrospective permission'