The Infrastructure Projects

[Paplane]

The way things are going there wont even be a planning board meeting to approve the application. No planning approval, no building work.

Good point Pap!

Surely they could do that via teleconference?!

The planning board meeting is a democratic event. Members of the public are allowed to speak at the meeting to put forward their point of view in relation to the application. Im sure there'd be quite a few people who'd want to speak as there has been so much comment received. Thats why Ive previously said there might be a special meeting scheduled just to determine this one application. 

If they hold the meeting now, people who dont feel comfortable attending a meeting due to rhe virus might be denied their democratic voice.

Sorry Pap, but you are mistaken mate. At a planning Committee meeting, only elected members of the council and planning officers are allowed to speak. even developers can sit quietly and watch the proceedings, but cannot comment one way or the other.
Any objections would be mentioned by the Lead Planning Officer responsible for the planning application.

Even Councillors that are not on the committee but are raising objections cannot speak. They can only have their objection raised by the Lead Officer. The objections and support should all be written down in the agenda item report, which Councillors usually get a couple of weeks before the meeting takes place

Im not mate. Ive spoken at the meetings on behalf of applicant and been there while objectors have had their say. You are allowed a slot to make a speech. Your slot is usually time limited, say 3 minutes. After the public and the applicant have spoken, the elected members of the planning board (the committee) then debate the application after hearing the arguments made. Thats the point the room has to keep quiet and listen to them. It can be infuriating listening to them spout bollocks and not be able to put them right.