CANONS Court residents have expressed disbelief at a recommendation by a Wiltshire Council official to remove a long-standing clause that prevents “under-age” tenants moving into the court.
Residents fear that if formally approved, the removal of the age restriction on one of the properties in the court could “open the flood gates” for similar applications.
The application, by a ‘Buy to Let’ investor, has requested that a legal binding clause that states that occupants must be aged 55 or over – a decision made by Wiltshire Council over 30 years ago in 1989 – be removed to allow them to rent or sell their property with more ease.
Canons Court residents are up in arms about the planning application as they say that in the past, people “much younger” than 55 have been allowed to rent properties in the court, with sometimes “disruptive and stressful” consequences for other residents.
Canons Court resident, Alan Spedding said, “At the last count, 16 residents had given their views and all 16 residents objected to the application – and yet, a council representative evidently feels they alone know best. Shocking. And breathtakingly arrogant.
“This decision will potentially open the flood gates and lead to the removal of all other age restrictions within the court.”
Melksham Town Council, who objected to the application, have also expressed their disappointment in the recommendation. “This is bad news,” said cllr Adrienne Westbrook at last week’s economic development and planning meeting.
Residents have also questioned why the decision is being made by a Wiltshire Council planning official, rather than the council’s planning committee – especially as the application has received objections from Melksham Town Council and local residents.
“I was under the old-fashioned illusion that these council representatives were public servants and, as such, were there to listen – and then serve the best interests of the community,” said Alan. On the evidence of this whole business it seems we’re in fact operating under some sort of jumped-up dictatorship.”
In response to the concerns, a Wiltshire Council spokesperson explained, “The application has not yet been determined but we have recommended it for approval. The majority of planning applications are determined under delegated powers by planning officers.
“The town council did object to the planning application but this does not trigger an application being determined by a planning committee, nor does the number of objectors.
“The application was not ‘called in’ for determination at a planning committee by a Wiltshire Council member. There are no other reasons for it to be decided at a planning committee, so it can be determined under delegated powers by planning officers.
“The decision will not be made for a while, as our legal team is varying the legal agreement to remove the application site. Once this is completed, approval will be granted.”
Canons Court residents have also been told by Wiltshire Council that as “interested third parties,” they will no right of appeal against the decision once it has been made official.
