I WISH to address the inequality in the consideration of repeated planning applications. These unduly favour applicants who are large corporations, resulting in a huge waste of public money.

After a planning application has been refused the applicant may resubmit, having made minor changes which do not address the major reasons for rejection. I suggest there should be a fast-track process open to the planning authorities. Because the reasons for rejection are purely technical and already agreed by the council, this process would be exercised by council officials.

As it stands, the public lose out at least twice. They spend their money purchasing goods, which gives the firms the unending ability to keep on applying. The public also pay council tax so the councils can afford to look at the applications.

Sometimes they lose out thrice or more as they have to raise the money themselves to pay to object. Finally, lethargy sets in so that objections decrease, money stops and proposals get approved by default. Is there no means for the council to “fast-track” these repeated applications so that if the original main objections have not been answered fully the subsequent application is automatically rejected and do not have to go to the expense of a council or public enquiry?

I realise this would probably need parliamentary legislation but should it not be considered?

There are three instances that have involved me:

1. The repeated Gateway applications for a Sainsbury store on the flood plain off Southampton Road, Salisbury.

2. The repeated McDonald’s applications for a drive-thru and hotel on the flood plain off Southampton Road, Salisbury.

3. The repeated applications by Ecotricity for wind turbines in the Blackmore Vale, Dorset.

What can you or I do further?

Christine Rodger

Salisbury