On Friday 6 June I had my periodic update from the planning officer who manages the West Way application, Stuart Walker. Here are the main points:

• Last week had the Design Review Panel, a West Way Community Concern update meeting with Planning officers, and the Environmental Statement consultation began.
• Planning team apologises for the computer glitch that sent out some letters with a two week consultation deadline, instead of the agreed three weeks.
• The online versions of the Environmental Statement is about to be resized to allow all appendices to be read. (It’s all just too big!)
• Over the next month Stuart and his team will be reviewing all the letters of objection to begin the investigation into points raised.
• If Doric submit any amendments, there will be another consultation period.
• Planning Officers are actively seeking a venue to be used for the Planning Committee meeting that considers this application.
• At that planning committee meeting, there will be 20 minute slots: 1 for objectors, 1 for supporters, 1 for the parish council.
• I’ll ask the Chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Robert Sharp, about allowing local members to speak outside those slots, so that our time doesn’t use up others’ time. For example, if I object, I don’t want to eat away at the 20 minutes WWCC has!

That’s what I learned.