A COUNCILLOR has launched an outspoken attack on his own parish authority after a no-show at a key meeting.

Councillor Ian Tilbury was furious that councillors from the village’s parish council were not present at the recent planning appeal relating to the proposed Overton Hill development.

The proposal, which was discussed at an informal hearing with the planning inspectorate last week, could see 120 new properties built in the village if Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s decision to reject it is overturned.

Representatives from the borough were present to submit their opposition to the plans but Cllr Tilbury slammed parish councillors for not representing the village at the hearing.

During an Overton Parish Council meeting, he said: “That was the single biggest planning application to affect the village and not one person from the parish council was there. It’s just farcical.”

Parish council chairman Cllr Tom Riddler then pointed out that as Cllr Tilbury is a parish councillor as well as a borough member, the parish did have representatives at the meeting.

Cllr Tilbury replied: “I was there as a borough councillor and I spoke on behalf of the borough council – I can’t be both at the same time.”

However, Cllr Paula Baker, who also represents both Basingstoke and Deane and Overton Parish Council, defended the parish council.

She said: “Just because we couldn’t make this meeting, it does not mean we are a terrible council.”

And Cllr Lucy Sloane Williams added: “I think we are rather behind because of things like the neighbourhood plan. We are overwhelmed with things to do at the moment and I, personally, am exhausted.”

The appeal for Overton Hill is now awaiting a decision by the national Planning Inspectorate who will either back the borough council’s decision or overturn it.

The decision is due in the coming weeks and if overturned, developers will be given permission to build on the site with immediate effect.