BOROUGH council planning officers have been criticised for a series of errors, and will be given extra training.
Poor record-keeping and failure to provide the right information are just two of the concerns raised in a leaked report, compiled in the wake of the failed application to build a four-storey development of 17 flats and shops in Crown Street.
The proposal, dubbed Towie Towers after it was first revealed in the Gazette in December 2011, was rejected by Brentwood Borough Council's planning development control and licensing committee in July after members decided it would be too large.
Following the decision, councillors expressed concern that a nearby taller development featuring 12 apartments at Hanover House in High Street had previously been approved by officers but had not been mentioned at the committee meeting.
Brian Partridge, the council's head of localism and partnership, subsequently carried out a review of the two applications and circulated a report of his findings to members last week.
The document, which was subsequently passed to the Gazette, described the "lack of record keeping" in the run-up to submission of the application as a "contributory factor" to what happened.
Mr Partridge also wrote: "Planning officers need to consider which plans should be displayed before members at the meeting, which will help with consideration of all the planning issues and help with determination of the application."
The report also raises concerns about an unnamed councillor who met with the developer and encouraged a different design, stating that any such discussions should, in the first instance, have taken place through planning officers.
Shenfield Tory councillor Phil Baker said: "I have concerns but the report goes some way to bring these concerns to light and gives us a way forward to get a better planning regime in the future."
When asked if the report might prompt residents to conclude that planning officers don't know what they are doing, Cllr Baker replied: "They may conclude just that."
Liberal Democrat opposition group leader David Kendall said: "This isn't the first time we have had issues regarding planning advice and the way that the planning committee is being operated. I was given assurances that things were going to improve but this situation would suggest that there is still a lot more room for further improvement."
He added: "Members need to sit down and discuss the findings of this report because this raises more questions than it provides answers."
Another councillor, who asked not to be named, added: "Planning officers have been found wanting on this one."
A council spokesman said: "The council has an adopted protocol for pre-application planning meetings.
"Members and officers are and will be trained in the protocol and this includes the delivery of the best pre-application planning advice by officers.
"Training has ensured that additional briefings are now held with officers prior to planning development committee meetings.
"It has also ensured that the committee is always fully informed on the latest determination of relevant applications.
"Our working practice is that all relevant planning history and relevant current applications are always brought to the attention of members considering applications."
