A NEW system has been introduced by Maldon District Council to improve the process of planning applications in the district.

In a letter sent to all parish and town councils of the district, Nick Fenwick, Director of Planning and Regulatory Services at Maldon District Council, detailed they will now have 28 days to comment on applications instead of 21.

Mr Fenwick stated that the change had been made following concerns that 21 days was not ample time for parish and town councils to consider planning application within their region.

In addition a revised version of a responses form has been drawn up to thoroughly take into account all councils’ views on significant development applications.

Speaking at a Burnham Town Council meeting, town councillor and Chairman of Maldon District Council Peter Elliott said: “The idea from the district council is to standardise the responses from all parish and town councils and formalise how they operate together when discussing developments.

“If the responses are not formalised they will not operate as efficiently and it can be harder to consider all stances from each council and the system will not operate efficiently.”

Councillor Mike Wood for Burnham North Ward said: “It seems to me that if we do not conform to their ways we don’t get to have our say, which does not sound reasonable.”

Other councillors at the meeting had more positive feelings towards the change.

Town mayor Ron Pratt said: “We cannot just object to an application with our personal thoughts, we need a proper planning reason. If we’re looking at the whole district, this new system should help.”

Town Clerk David McNeill said: “Increased response time and a standardised response system should be beneficial, for simply if you don’t get in your objection in time it doesn’t go through.”

Councillor Bob Calver of Burnham South Ward said: “I think this process will make our decisions a lot more strong and binding with the rest of the district.”