Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee chairman Cllr Mike Adams has urged councillors to attend site visits after only two turned up.
Cllr Adams said he was joined by one other councillor to a site visit on Monday, October 7.
The 19 planning committee members were due to visit the site of a housing development at the former Oakdale Golf Course, however only Cllr Adams and Cllr Roy Saralis — who isn’t a committee member — turned up.
Cllr Adams said: “We must do better so that we can properly represent the applicant, so they are believing we are going on the site to make a view and make our minds up at the time.
“Please plan your time in the future.”
The application was to vary conditions from a previously approved planning application concerning six flats on Oakdale Golf Course lane.
The previous application raised concerns over the change in levels, making it intrusive to neighbouring houses.
There was confusion in the meeting over how accurate pictures of the plans were and concerns were raised over the distance between the three buildings containing the six flats and the rest of the development.
Cllr Adams said: “If you were able to stand where I was stood you would have had a slightly different picture.
“But it was up to you for you to make your minds up on how different it actually was.”
Despite the concerns raised, the planning application was approved by the committee.
Cllr Saralis, who represents the Penmaen ward where the planned development is, told Caerphilly Observer: “In circumstances like this application, a decision would be made on the visual aspect. Therefore, attendance was essential to make a fair judgement.
“This is not the first time the attendance has been low.
“I just feel that in the planning process, if members are to make a judgement, they should be there. It’s unfair on applicants and planners.”