AN INDEPENDENT inquiry into Bolton Council’s planning practices will take place over three days next month, it has been confirmed.

And members of the public who want to submit evidence to the review will have to do so by October 3.

The much-anticipated inquiry will be held from October 11 to 13 and will be carried out by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) — part of the Local Government Association.

The PAS offers help, support, advice and training to local councils and also conducts peer reviews to advise authorities on learning and improvement.

The review team — who were present to observe Thursday’s meeting of the planning committee — will be made up of officers and councillors from other councils which are members of the LGA.

A council spokesman said: “The team will review the planning committee through viewing more planning committee meetings and undertaking interviews and focus groups across members of the committee, officers and users of the committee.

“They will look at all processes and procedures of the planning committee including planning referrals, reports, decision-making and how the committee is viewed by external users.”

“They will then produce a written report, which highlights areas of good practice, but also recommendations for areas of improvement.”

Councillors first agreed to hold an inquiry following a motion from Conservative councillor Norman Critchley in December last year.

He said he was concerned about the perception of some members of the public regarding the way decisions were made by the council’s planning committee and asked for this to be independently reviewed.

All councillors voted to pass the motion and hold the inquiry, but arguments have ensured in the months since about the scope of the inquiry and how members of the public will be able submit evidence.

A spokesman for the council confirmed that as well as submitting evidence through ward councillors and to the council, there is a direct email address for residents to use to submit evidence directly to the inquiry team.

A spokesman said: “Members of the public who wish to contribute to the independent review can do so via their local councillor; by contacting the council directly; or by emailing the Planning Advisory Service directly on Pas@local.gov.uk before the October 3.