The six councillors represent the two wards affected by the application and they have made this request because they feel that the scheme is too contentious to be determined by the local authority. In a letter to GOSE they suggested that the planning committee might be “unduly influenced by local interest groups” and that the appointment of an inspector would be the fairest way to determine the application.

A planning inspector would not normally get involved in a planning application unless it was rejected and went to appeal.

Local developer Karis partnered by banking giant ING submitted the application in December and it is expected to be determined in the next few months.

The signatories to the letter are Cllrs: Peltzer Dunn, Averil Older, Jan Young, Brian Oxley, Ted Kemble and Denise Cobb.