PLANS to create a new cemetery at Ipsley Meadow are to go before Redditch Borough Council’s planning committee.
The committee will consider the planning application for the site off Ipsley Church Lane at its meeting at Redditch Town Hall on Wednesday, October 13, starting at 7pm.
Owing to significant local interest in the application, and limitations on the numbers of public physically able to attend at the venue, the meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The committee has also made special extended public speaking arrangements for the meeting over and above the normal limits.
Those registered to speak in objection to the application will have up to a total of 30 minutes speaking time, with the same amount of time allocated to the applicant and supporters.
Elected ward councillors will also be able speak for up to three minutes each.
Speakers in objection will have up to three minutes each in the order they notified the council of their wish to speak, and will be invited to co-ordinate between themselves if they wish to request to ‘pool’ their minutes and have nominated spokespersons.
The applicant will have 15 minutes speaking time plus any time not taken up by speakers in support.
Registered speakers will be able to join and speak by video link or submit their comments in writing if they wish.
With the venue limited to a maximum of 70 members of the public including registered speakers, the livestreaming of the meeting on the borough council’s YouTube channel will give more people the opportunity to watch the proceedings.
Planning committee chair Councillor Michael Chalk said: “Because of the nature of this application, we’re doing what we can to facilitate more public participation.
“Owing to the 70-person limit in the public gallery, which includes registered speakers, and with it being first come first served, we would encourage people to make use of online tools where possible, whether to watch the proceedings or even to exercise your right to speak.”
Anyone who has already made representations on the planning application is being contacted directly by the council and informed of the process for registering to speak.
Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must notify the council of their intention to do so by 12noon on Monday, October 11, by emailing Democratic Services at [email protected] or calling 01527 64252 ext. 2884.
The Town Hall car park will not be available to the public during the meeting, although any registered speakers who need disabled parking can request a space on the contact details above.
Information about the application is available at www.redditchbc.gov.uk/planning.
