A CALL for an inquiry into a potential housing development in Meliden to be declared void and re-run has been quashed.

Planning and Environment Decision Wales’ (PEDW) online inquiry into an application by Penrhyn Homes to build 133 homes on Mindale Farm took place at the start of the month.

Though, former councillor and mayor Bob Paterson, of the Mindale Opposition Group, was staunchly against the inquiry being held virtually, suggesting that a number of residents without Internet access would be excluded from proceedings.

Though the inquiry, under planning inspector Richard Jenkins, was conducted remotely, Denbighshire County Council ensured it was screened in Meliden Community Centre.

Mr Paterson sent a number of grievances to PEDW regarding the inquiry earlier in March, labelling the event “extremely technical” in one of seven complaints made.

Having not received a response from PEDW, Mr Paterson sent a further email to the authority, shown to the Journal, on March 16.

He wrote: “I am unaware as to whether my complaint has been received. I do note that, under the section ‘Feedback and Complaints’ on your site, you do say: ‘When we receive a complaint, we will acknowledge it, investigate and reply as soon as possible.’

“It does go on to say that you aim to respond within 20 days, but I do feel that an acknowledgement would have been forthcoming by now.

“Further reading of documents on your site under ‘administrative complaints’ says: ‘We will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and move onto investigating any issues raised.’ Again, something I do not feel has been carried out.

“I strongly believe that the complaints I have raised could be sufficient to render the inquiry as void, obviously meaning that it would have to be re-run allowing access to documentation that is relevant to the inquiry to be viewed by all members of the public who have an interest.”

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Mr Paterson had previously criticised the short amount of time between the inquiry starting on March 1 and the announcement that it would be screened at the community centre, which was made little more than a week earlier.

He had also said in his initial email that screens were not available to view any documentation being discussed during the inquiry.

In response to Mr Paterson, an email from PEDW’s head of operations, Isabel Nethell, shown to the Journal yesterday (March 21), said that the inquiry will not be restarted and that the inspector is still considering his final decision.

She wrote: “I am sorry you have not received an acknowledgement to your earlier e-mail. I have noted your concerns, complaints and observations.

“PEDW do not consider the inquiry to be void and it will not be re-run. The inspector is currently considering all representations before him, and those made orally at the inquiry, to reach a conclusion. His decision will be issued in due course.

“PEDW did not have any involvement with the arrangements made at Meilden Community Centre.

“Your concerns about the arrangements at the community centre, and the timing of those arrangements, may be addressed to the local planning authority.

“It is not unusual for participants at an oral event not to have every document before them.

“It was open to the participants at the inquiry to seek clarification about terms or acronyms used if they were unclear.

“Given that there have been several exchanges between us in relation to the virtual event, and acknowledging the event has been held, I cannot see any value in continuing to correspond about it.

“Any further correspondence from you, in relation to the virtual event will not be responded to.

“Once the inspector’s decision is issued, it will be open to you to challenge the decision in the High Court should you wish to.

“I am sorry that my reply could not be more helpful. If you are not happy with it, you may complain to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.”

Mr Paterson added that, following this response, he contacted the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Since an initial proposal was made public in 2016, the homes have since been rejected, dismissed by appeal, revised and rejected again.

When Penrhyn Homes lodged a second application, which included proposals for a new access road to the site from the A547, it was again refused against the advice of the officers.

Mr Paterson has previously told the Journal that he is opposed to Penrhyn Homes’ proposal as he believes the site is prone to flooding, making it unsuitable for such a development.

Among the main objections from residents is that the extra traffic will exacerbate problems on the A547, where motorists often have to wait a long time to emerge, especially at peak periods.