DEVELOPERS could exploit proposed redundancies in Swindon Council’s planning enforcement team according to one councillor.

Two senior planners and a female assistant enforcement officer were given a two-week consultation notice by management on Wednesday last week.

A decision will then be made shortly after that period has lapsed, the Swindon Advertiser has learnt.

These roles could be reduced to one position by April 1, 2010.

Coun Kevin Small (Lab, Western) was appalled by the proposal.

He said: “The enforcement team ensures people don’t abuse the planning laws in Swindon.

“There needs to be an increase in the enforcement team not a reduction.”

Coun Colin Lovell, the cabinet member for a safer and stronger borough, admitted that a proposal had been put to the planning enforcement team, but refused to discuss the fate of individual jobs.

He said: “We are a very poorly funded council and we have to deliver a balanced budget.

“We have to look doing things more efficiently and differently.

“The council has to evolve and adapt to the economic climate and look at all sorts of options. It’s important to stress that no decision has yet been made. We are still in consultation.”

The enforcement team investigates alleged breaches of planning control including unlawful works to a listed building, breaches of conditions, unauthorised developments and untidy sites considered detrimental to local amenities. It receives about 750 allegations each year relating to breaches of planning control.

Some of these are considered after investigations. Other cases are resolved without the need to take formal action. In some cases the enforcement team uses legal action to secure compliance.

The number of compliance officers who deal with planning issues may rise to ten according to Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Nythe).

“This is a proposal at a time when the amount of compliance officers could increase,” he said.

These officers wouldn't be as specialist as the enforcement team, but would be trained in planning duties.

Leader of the Swindon Labour group Derique Montaut said the issue was brought up by coun Jim Grant (Lab, Western) at the full council meeting in the Civic Offices last week. But he said it was “closed down” by the deputy leader of the council Fionuala Foley.

She said it was an “inappropriate question” on a personal issue, which is currently under consultation.