MONTROSE Community Council have hit out at Angus Council for failing to provide them with a copy of the planning application for a controversial development of six flats in Traill Drive.
The community council say that, as a statutory consultee, the planning department had agreed to send them any application that attracted objections for their consideration.
But Montrose Community Council didn't receive the full details of the p
lan, despite nearly 30 objections being lodged against the proposal before it was heard last month, including objections from all three neighbouring golf clubs.
Member Bill Gibson said: "We didn't get any plans for the golf club flats and that has already been passed."
Local councillor David May said that the only way the community council could now have their say on the matter would be if there was an official appeal lodged against the decision, and the group agreed to get a copy of the plans should this occur.
Member Terry Wood said that situation was unacceptable.
He said: "It's very disappointing that we weren't able to discuss it. Plans should be sent to us.
"I think it is unfortunate that Montrose Community Council were not issued with plans for this so it could put forward its observations and comments.
"We are a statutory body for Montrose – how can this happen?"
Another member said: "Considering the amount of objections sent to Forfar, you would have thought it would have triggered the planning department? They agreed that they would send us any contentious applications and it has not happened."
However, Angus Council have said there is no such agreement in place and insisted that it is the responsibility of the community council to seek out plans they think are important.
A spokesperson for the council said: "The community councils receive weekly lists of planning applications. If a community council wishes further information on any application, the details can be viewed on the council's public access website. Alternatively, community councils can request that the planning department sends them details of particular applications.
"Community council are entitled to then make objections to or comments on any planning applications.
"We have no agreements with any community council to notify them if there are objections to planning applications."
The decision to grant Ian Ingram Contracts permission to build a six-flatted development between the Royal and Caledonia Golf Clubs has already attracted plenty of controversy, with a row breaking out between the captain and vice captains of the Caley club and councillor Mark Salmond.
The approval of the application will mean that access to the Caledonia's car park at the rear of the development site will only be accessible by a two-to-three metre wide lane, between the wall of the golf club and the wall of the flats. The club say that will endanger the safety of its members.
The Mercantile, Royal Montrose and Caledonia clubs also argue that it is inappropriate to build a residential development between the clubs, which often host social functions as well as generally being busy from the early hours of the morning to well into the evening.
