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Howard Town mill complaint

Tom Rowley
20/ 6/2007

CAMPAIGNERS against plans for Howard Town Mill have written a formal letter of complaint to High Peak Council.

It could be the first step by residents towards asking for the Ombudsman to investigate planning decisions at High Peak.

Residents, who are in favour of the original plans for the mill but against subsequent changes, feel strongly that there have been flaws in the consultation process.

May Hurst from Glossop Craft Centre, overlooked by the mill, said: "Immediately before the last planning meeting an eating establishment was withdrawn from the plan and changes were made to a block of flats.

"It meant we were given no time to consider the implications of these changes."

A High Peak Borough Council spokesman said: "The eating establishment was withdrawn at the last minute because applicants felt it was the most contentious part of the application.

"They were within their rights to do this and taking something out of a scheme does not raise any public consultation issues.

"Small changes were made to a block of flats but these were not details the council would have normally re-consulted the neighbours on.

"A vote taken at the meeting on whether to defer the application was lost."

The applicants have withdrawn an appeal for amendments to the original application for the mill to allow flats and eating establishments.

Approval still stands for the original application.