COUNCIL leaders have dismissed claims a planning blueprint for development in Cirencester was shelved due to staff shortages and financial restraints.

Last week it emerged Cotswold District Council had abandoned the Kingshill Masterplan, a document designed to control new housing, shops and business parks on land between London Road and Burford Road and North Home Road.

The masterplan was dropped because planning officers could not finish it in time to process planning applications submitted in 2006.

Several councillors fear it will mean 18 months of consultation will go to waste and CDC will be unable to retain control over planning applications for the two sites.

District councillor Peter Hedges said: "It's regrettable that the masterplan couldn't be finished because of staff shortages and that's not a criticism of the planning department.

"The financial constraints that are being set at CDC are having a knock on effect on important issues."

County councillor Roger Brown added: "If it was important before why is it suddenly not. I know that the planners there are under a lot of pressure and they should be properly resourced."

However, CDC cabinet bosses have hit back at the criticism by reassuring people the consultation process was not a waste of time and that planning officers are not overstretched.

Council leader Lynden Stowe said: "We have learned from the extensive consultation process, which will be borne in mind as plans are discussed and debated by our planning officers and planning committee.

"The really big thing is Kingshill is giving us the opportunity to address some of the affordable housing issues in Cirencester and I think local people should consider that a huge bonus."

Cllr John Burgess, portfolio holder for customer and support services, added: "Although it's been necessary to drop the plan the Kingshill Working Group is still going to oversee the development."

If a formal statement CDC also refuted claims the decision was taken secretively, but rather with the full knowledge of the council chamber.

It said: "The reason for not completing the masterplan was not because CDC has insufficient staff or time.

"All the work we've done with the developers and the community is not wasted. It will form an important part of the evidence the council considers when determining these applications.

"CDC is successfully negotiating the provision of important community facilities, as well as requiring 50 percent of the homes to be affordable, for rent and shared ownership."