FOUR councillors refused to vote on a controversial planning application over the Cornfactor site in Christchurch town centre.

At a meeting of Christchurch council’s planning committee on Thursday members were recommended to approve the retrospective applications from Renaissance Retirement for the new development just behind Christchurch High Street.

The contentious development of sheltered apartments for the elderly and two retail units was approved in 2013 despite objections from ward councillors and the community.

And there was further anger when a number of protected trees were damaged on the site just days after protection orders were placed on them.

The trees were damaged during an archaeological dig on the site and felled by council tree surgeons after an inspection from the council's tree officer.

In November last year planning officers were forced to look into two alleged breaches of planning permission at the site.

At the meeting last week members were asked to approve a retrospective condition swap so the cafe could be used as a shop and vice versa.

They were also asked to agree permission for a unit to be used as a temporary sales office.

Both were given the go-ahead but four councillors – Cllr Peter Hall, Cllr Sue Spittle, Cllr Lesley Dedman and Cllr Fred Neale – abstained from voting on each scheme.

A representative of the Chamber of Trade, Linda Cook, was also prevented from speaking, as she had not informed the council beforehand.

Prior to any debate on either scheme, Cllr Colin Jamieson, chairman of the planning committee, told members: “We are looking at the facts of the matter, not passing subjective opinion.

“The officers’ recommendation is that this item is approved. I do not believe this could be defended if we went to appeal.

“We would be clearly in danger of acting with unreasonable behaviour and there is a danger that costs could be awarded against us.”

Cllr Peter Hall, an opponent of the scheme, asked planning officer Giles Moir why other alleged planning breaches were not included.

Cllr Jamieson said: “We are looking at the application which is before us.

“Keep your comments to this application, not other things that have happened in the past.”

The schemes were approved by Cllr Colin Jamieson, Cllr Tavis Fox, Cllr Lisle Smith, Cllr Trevor Watts and Cllr Paul Hilliard.