SOUTH AND WEST PLANS PANEL

 Today I chaired the South & West Plans Panel, one of the cross city roles I carry out on behalf of the wider council.

Today's application for a McDonald's, in Bramley and Stanningley Ward, was quite a difficult one to determine, with complicated arguments for and against the officer recommendation, all being weighed against the legal framework as set out by national and local planning policy.

The vote at the end was split, and across party lines, showing that members of the panel, on a finely balanced application, took time to consider their position and come to an individual judgment.