Councillor 'Hothead' storms out of planning meeting

Councillor William Hobhouse

Councillor William Hobhouse caused uproar at a meeting of the Council Regulatory Committee when he threw his committee papers down and stormed out having been asked to leave the meeting.

Councillor Hobhouse had declared prior to discussion of the planning application for development on the Alexander Drew site at Spotland that he had not read the papers and had no intention of doing so because he said as a “matter of principle” he would never vote against planning officers recommendations.

Council Officers and other Councillors on the committee explained that it was essential every planning application should be decided on merit and tried to reason with Councillor Hobhouse that his stance was prejudicial and could result in a costly appeal if applicants could show his mind was already closed before hearing their case.

Councillor Hobhouse was not for changing his mind and insisted when asked again if he would keep an open mind, which would have allowed him to remain, “just test me” at which point he came in for severe criticism from other councillors present, including his own Lib Dem colleagues.

It is understood Deputy Leader of the Council, Lib Dem Councillor Irene Davidson made a phone call to Council Leader Alan Taylor who was at the Ding Quarry Campaign meeting and Councillor Taylor is said to have agreed that Councillor Hobhouse must leave the meeting.

On being informed of his leader’s edict, Councillor Hobhouse was said by one member of the public present to be a "hothead" who “acted like a spoilt child” throwing his papers down and storming out shouting “we’ll see what happens now”!

Once Councillor Hobhouse had left, the committee heard the proposal which was supported by council officers and local residents. One resident Terry Mason, who lives at the Old Police Station close by, spoke saying: “The development is exactly what this area needs, creating both housing and jobs.

“This development will bring much needed housing to the area, of which there is a huge shortage, it is probably the best development on the worst site that could ever be envisaged and could only enhance the area on one of the main gateways into the town centre.”

Fred Chadwick, Chairman and Managing Director of local construction company Beva Construction objected to the development but Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the development going ahead.

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UPDATE 08/11/07

Councillor Hobhouse has issued a statement saying:

"The Borough Solicitor is aware that my position comes from concern about corruption within the planning process in this borough. She has recently written to me to say that members who receive payments from developers through their business interests can sit on planning committees. This is hardly an interpretation of the code of conduct that inspires public confidence, and I hope to clarify matters with her in the coming days."