![\"website\"](\"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/TheStar_160419.png\")
Sheffield councillors refused to make a decision on a planning application after finding out the public consultation hadn\u2019t yet finished.<\/h3>\nSheffield councillors refused to make a decision on a planning application after finding out the public consultation hadn\u2019t yet finished.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The Star<\/em> writes:<\/p>\n Officers advised the planning board that it should press ahead and make a decision about a scheme to convert the former Gilders car showroom off Ecclesall Road South. But councillors were surprised and unhappy when they found out the consultation wasn\u2019t due to finish until two days after the meeting. The scheme had received 34 objections but a problem with the council\u2019s website meant people couldn\u2019t access its planning portal so the deadline to comment was extended. But then officers said the board should make a decision and if there were any objections afterwards, officers and the chairman of the committee could discuss them. The planning board said this was an unprecedented request and it would not be \u2018open and transparent\u2019 if they made a decision before people had chance to object. Coun Peter Rippon, who co-chairs the committee, was surprised by the officers\u2019 suggestion.\u00a0 He said: \u2018It is unprecedented for this to be put forward to the committee before the consultation period ends. I had a briefing with officers last week and a site visit and this was never mentioned.\u2019<\/p>\n Officers said developers wanted the decision quickly but the board deferred it\u2019…<\/p>\n