COMPLAINTS have been made regarding the way in which an online planning inquiry concerning a development in Meliden was carried out last week.

Planning and Environment Decision Wales’ (PEDW) inquiry into an application by Penrhyn Homes to build 133 homes on Mindale Farm in Meliden began on March 1, and has now concluded.

Though the inquiry, under planning inspector Richard Jenkins, was conducted remotely, it was screened in Meliden Community Centre to allow villagers without internet access to participate and follow.

This followed widespread calls from residents and politicians for the inquiry to be held in-person, before the announcement that it would be shown at the community centre came in late February.

Former councillor and mayor Bob Paterson, of the Mindale Opposition Group, organised a public event at Meliden Community Centre to discuss the inquiry last month, and also helped put together petitions which received roughly 160 signatures against it being carried out remotely.

In an email shown to the Journal, Mr Paterson has now highlighted a number of grievances with the way the virtual inquiry was conducted.

He said: “If a live event had been arranged, I would assume that screens would be available to view any documentation being discussed. In the virtual event, this did not happen.

“When I tried to access the case files on the PEDW portal, I received an error message.

“The reply to my email raising concerns of this stated: ‘I am sorry that there is still a problem with publication of the documents on the PEDW casework portal. We have sought to resolve this, but it is something we have had to raise with our IT support colleagues, rather than something we can directly solve in PEDW’.

“The use of the word ‘still’ is extremely concerning, as this indicates that it was happening for a while.

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“The reply then went on to say: ‘Are there any particular documents you would like us to send you copies of, or for us ask the Local Planning Authority if it is possible for them to publish?’

“(This is) A totally pointless comment as the event was running live and by the time the Local Planning Authority were contacted, the section would have moved on.

“The whole event was extremely technical and concerned many legal arguments, something that was to be expected.

“However, there was no acceptance of the number of non-technical individuals who wished to observe and take part; a large number of acronyms, without clarification, were used.

“Overall, my interpretation of this event and its accessibility (for) non-technical and non-internet (people) has been extremely disappointing; the reasons for not holding a live event are questionable.”

Since an initial proposal was made public in 2016, the homes have since been rejected, dismissed by appeal, revised and rejected again.

When Penrhyn Homes lodged a second application, which included proposals for a new access road to the site from the A547, it was again refused against the advice of the officers.

Mr Paterson has previously told the Journal that he is opposed to Penrhyn Homes’ proposal as he believes the site is prone to flooding, making it unsuitable for such a development.

He had also received the backing of the MP and MS for Vale of Clwyd, Dr James Davies and Gareth Davies respectively, in his ultimately unsuccessful attempts to have the inquiry staged in-person.

Among the main objections from residents is that the extra traffic will exacerbate problems on the A547, where motorists often have to wait a long time to emerge, especially at peak periods.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The inquiry was run by PEDW.

“As the inquiry was held virtually, the council provided provision for the public to be able to attend Meliden Community Centre to view the proceedings on a screen.”

Though the hearing has now concluded, the inspector is due to make a site visit later this month, before a final decision is expected several weeks afterwards.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Appeals are processed by PEDW.

"We cannot comment on a particular case, as to do so may prejudice any future decision made in relation to it.”