BEWDLEY Town Council has signed up to an invitation to voice its views at meetings to decide major planning applications affecting its area.

Councillors said they were keen to try out the scheme which gives parish and town councillors a chance to speak at meetings of Wyre Forest District Council planning (development control) committee.

At present town and parish council only make written representations to recommend acceptance or rejection of planning applications.

Councillors have expressed concern in recent weeks about the number of planning applications that have been approved although they recommended they should be thrown out.

They have also complained to the district council that members of the committee are too often only told of their views at the time of the meeting and before they have had a proper chance to consider them.

Stourport Town Council has given a cautious welcome to the proposal.'