The leader of High Peak Borough Council has hit back at claims by the local MP that the authority's planning department is not fit for purpose. 

High Peak MP Robert Largan criticised the council over its handling of the controversial application for the former Shire Hill Hospital site. 

In December 2021, HPBC’s Development Control committee decided to reject plans by NHS Property Services for a major housing development on the Old Glossop site. 

Mr Largan said lengthy delays with the application have meant the decision was not valid, which he has blamed on the borough council’s planning department. 

The plans are to go to appeal, with the planning inspectorate due to make the final decision.   

"Like many local residents, I submitted my own objections to this application, and I believe the Planning Committee made the right decision to reject it," said Mr Largan. 

“It is very disappointing that, due to Council incompetence, the development might still go ahead on appeal."

He added: "This whole fiasco exposes the Labour-run Council’s incompetence on planning issues. They need to get a grip quickly!” 

However, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, Leader of HPBC, said: “This is a disappointing and inaccurate portrayal of the Council’s planning service. 

“Benchmarking data shows that High Peak performed above the regional and national mean figure for major applications in 2020/21. 

“Due to the range of complex issues included in the Shire Hill application, the Council agreed on an extension to standard time to deal with the application. 

“Despite this longer timetable, it became clear that the proposed development did not merit approval, and when presented to Councillors, it was rejected. 

“Due to the developer submitting an appeal, the government rules around the appeals process do not allow the Council to issue the formal decision notice. 

“We will, however, be rigorously defending the appeal based on the committee report and resolution. 

“We remain disappointed that the applicant remains unwilling to change their application to address the significant concerns from residents, Councillors and other stakeholders.” 

Residents who want to comment on the application can do so on Planning Inspectorate’s website until 30 May. You can see the appeal documents and submit further comments at www.tinyurl.com/shirehill. 

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