COUNCILLORS have clashed over Bolton’s upcoming independent planning enquiry — with suggestions the process is in danger of becoming a “complete farce.”

A full independent inquiry into the council’s planning processes is set to take place in October — after members agreed to it following reports of concerns from residents.

It has been confirmed that the Local Government Association will carry out the investigation in the form of a peer review and will take place in October.

However, a council meeting on Wednesday evening saw an angry row break-out between the ruling Labour group and opposition members over the parameters of that review.

Tory Cllr Norman Critchley — who originally brought the motion proposing the enquiry — had called for clarification about when it would take place.

But in his motion he also stated: “It is imperative that residents of this town be given every opportunity to submit evidence to the enquiry if they so wish; that the process be open and transparent; that the members of the panel should represent a political mix and have no connection with Bolton or any council member or staff; and that staff can make representations without fear of reprisal.”

Responding, Labour Cllr Nick Peel confirmed the October start-date but said his group could not back the latest motion because it “attempts to change the original motion that was passed.”

Cllr Peel argued than in his original motion, Cllr Critchley had stated that the enquiry would look at “certain aspects” of the planning system and that officers then went about setting out the terms of reference after holding discussions with all groups.

He said: “Those terms of reference have now been finalised and the LGA led review will look at the processes of committee decision making.

“The narrative of Cllr Critchley’s original motion talked about the public perceptions of the processes of committee decision making and that is why this is the area the review will focus on.”

This statement prompted an angry reaction from Tory, UKIP and Lib Dem Cllrs who said they believed a full enquiry must also involve members of the public and allow council officers to be interviewed — something they said was debated at the time and discussed with planning chiefs at the council.

Tory leader Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “I am worried that this enquiry is now at risk of becoming a complete farce.

“What we could now have is a very constrained enquiry — we must meet as soon as possible to sort this out because it looks like the goalposts have been moved.”

A visibly angry Cllr Critchley added: "I believe in this council and I want it to come out white.

"I won't have anyone say that we can't do this properly."

Nonetheless, the Labour group voted down Cllr Critchley’s latest motion.