Since receiving our emails last week in which we quoted Oxfordshire County Council's own statement of its legal obligations and procedures, the County Council is now trying to rewrite the rules! 

In an obvious attempt to deny the public's right to transparency and a voice in the planning process, they have actually RE-WRITTEN THEIR OWN LEGAL STATEMENT! 

Last week we quoted the statement on the e-planning website that everyone had to 'ACCEPT' in order to submit comments: "In accordance with national legislation and guidance, the names and addresses of applicants and agents and those making comments and representations on planning applications will appear on our website."

Now the statement reads: ""In accordance with national legislation and guidance, the names and addresses of applicants and agents and those making comments and representations on planning applications may appear on our website."                 (Bold & italics added.)

I have written to Anita Bradley, Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, and said that "whatever the reason for this extraordinary manipulation of your own legal statements, it does not alter the fact that all respondents accepted the original wording quoted above."   

The statement we 'accepted' gave respondents a legitimate expectation that all comments as well as names and addresses would be published unredacted, and our emails explained exactly why the public, as well as councillors themselves, have a legitimate interest in seeing them.

My letter asks 3 questions:

1. Please can you tell me when the Council is going to publish all responses unredacted received in the above planning consultation, as requested?
2. If the Planning Department does not intend to do so, please will you clearly explain why not?
3. Can you tell me the precise "national legislation and guidance" under which the County Council is acting and interpreting its obligations to the public in this matter?

My letter states: "I do not believe the County Council will be acting lawfully and in accordance with its own published procedures if you fail to publish the public's responses in this consultation, and I am at a loss to understand what possible reason you could have to justify withholding information that the public and councillors are entitled to see. 
I would also question the propriety and lawfulness of any planning process which is not fully transparent and in accordance with your published policies and national legislation and guidance." 

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