MP welcomes decision to hold planning meetings in the community and not in the town hall

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that South Lakeland District Council will hold planning committee meetings in the towns and villages affected by their decisions.

At its meeting this morning, the committee said that it would like to see the venue of its meetings changed to the actual location of a planning application where the application was a significant one likely to attract considerable public interest and to have an effect on the local community. Residents have asked Tim previously if planning committee meetings could be held in the area affected. Currently residents have to travel to Kendal to get involved if they want to speak at a meeting.

Tim said: "This really is welcome news. I never understood why residents are expected to travel in to Kendal to discuss planning issues in their community. I've always thought that council should come to residents rather than the other way round, and this is another step in that direction. I'd like to thank council leader Peter Thornton, the Lib Dem councillors on the committee and council staff for making this happen."