HEREFORDSHIRE'S planners have designs on a new home of their own. A centralised city-based service is proposed, backed by 'surgeries' set up across the county.
An all-purpose area planning HQ will save the county council a six-figure sum once other offices are shutdown. The authority has already applied to adapt Advantage House in Blueschool Street, Hereford.
But the concept has its critics. Councillors tried to force a deferral of the decision when the full authority met recently.
Members for some north county wards claimed constituents could be compromised by the loss of a planning office at Lion House, Leominster.
But the move fell at vote, with a majority persuaded that putting planners under one roof was the way forward.
They heard that a trial 'planning surgery' had proved its worth in Ross, and the idea would be extended to other market towns.
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