Council chiefs in Fife have been accused of masterminding a “grave backwards step” in the planning process after blocking people from viewing comments and objections online.
The changes, made without consultation, drastically alter the way the local authority publishes information online about representations on planning applications.
Comments on applications will no longer be available for public consumption until after a consultation period has expired.
Fife Council said the new arrangements were made in response to concerns about personal details being shared.
Several community councils are understood to have voiced their concerns about the move, with opponents fearing it will be more difficult for people to object to controversial applications and will shut down the democratic process.
A spokesperson for Anstruther, Cellardyke and Kilrenny Community Council confirmed it had written to Fife Council to protest against the changes, as had Kingsbarns Community Council, while a representative for St Andrews Community Council also confirmed its planning committee had agreed the changes should be “vigorously opposed”.
Dr Margaret Hellicar, from Anstruther, told The Courier: “This represents a grave backwards step in the planning process, making it even more opaque than it is now.
“It is already difficult for people to find out what is planned in their area unless they happen to live within the absurdly short distance of 20 metres, or in a conservation area, where at least notices are posted on the street.
“Now it seems that those objecting – or even supporting – an application will not be able to see the views of others.
“This is a problem as some commenters may raise issues that others were not previously aware of but are then worried by, for example.
“It is also useful for community councils to see if there are certain issues that the majority are concerned about.
“It is important that the number of comments are also visible so that the public and community councils can see the weight of feeling before it’s all over.”
Dr Hellicar also challenged the council’s motives for the changes to its planning portal, suggesting the fact comments are to be published at the end of a consultation period anyway rubbishes any data protection reasoning.
Mary J Stewart, planning department service manager at Fife Council, defended the new set-up.
She said: “The online planning portal was never designed to be a forum to share ideas and opinions on specific applications.
“It was developed to try to make it easier for people to get involved in the planning process.
“This ease of access is still there for the public and comments, whether supporting or objecting to applications, are encouraged.
“The difference is they will not upload automatically when they are submitted, they will be uploaded at the end of the consultation period once they have been reviewed.
“This will help us to make sure that personal details or defamatory comments are not being shared on the site.
“It is important to remember that when an objection raises a material planning consideration, it is given the same consideration and weight as would 20 objections on the same point.”
