CONCERNS raised by borough councillors have resulted in changes to planning officers’ delegated powers.

Welcoming revisions to the scheme eight months after it was adopted, councillor Chris Storey said: “There have been lots of comments the scheme has gone too far and too much is going through without scrutiny.

“The new schedule is a good balance on what can be delegated, and what should go to planning committee.”

Waverley’s executive recommended the revised scheme to full council.

It will see planning schemes triggering five or more responses-only being determined by officers under delegated powers, after the relevant ward members have agreed the applications need not go to committee.

Under the revised scheme, the joint planning committee (JPC) has the power to review schemes for 25 or more houses where officers have recommended plans should be granted.

The JPC will also consider applications defined as ‘major,’ for 10 or more houses and commercial floorspace of one hectare, judged to have a significant impact, be of strategic importance or trigger new planning issues.

The area planning committees’ chairman and vice chairman can also request applications are referred to the JPC.