RYEDALE District Council's planning service is too slow, too expensive and unlikely to change, according to a new report.

The council's development control service has been rated as poor, receiving no stars out of a possible three from a Government watchdog.

Inspectors say that Ryedale residents have one of the worst performing planning authorities in England and Wales in terms of speed of decision-making and cost.

Pat Thynne, of the Audit Commission, said the council had slumped from being one of the best-performing councils to one of the worst.

She said: "Ryedale council now has enough staff to do the job, and has been making some changes to the service, but it needs to go further and take more radical steps."

An inspection team found a litany of "weaknesses" in the council's planning process, including:

Only 50pc of applications are processed within eight weeks against a target of 80pc.

Applicants do not receive consistent advice on design and planning issues, wasting officer time in queries.

Staff shortages have caused serious delays and the committee procedures hinder quick decision-making.

There is a lack of "understanding" between councillors and officers on planning guidelines.

Inspectors also questioned recent decisions, including approval for a conference centre, change of use of agricultural buildings to homes, and the go-ahead to build dog kennels and a farm shop in York's green belt.

Ryedale's assistant chief executive John Davison said he was "disappointed" with the report.

"The council has a good track record with Best Value reviews undertaken by the Audit Commission and this is the first review which didn't achieve a good two-star rating.

"We will be undertaking more training for members and it is our intention to review a number of the key planning policies which have given rise to problems."

Coun Allin Jenkins, who chairs one of the council's planning committees, blamed the poor report on a decision by councillors to cut the number of planning officers, while keeping the laborious two-committee system.

He said: "I am very cross about this report. It does nothing for the morale of the development control officers who have come into the council since it was done."

Inspectors have recommended that Ryedale axes one of its two planning committees to reduce delays and spiralling costs. They also say planning committee members should be given compulsory training on the planning code of practice and policy.

Coun Keith Knaggs said the department was developing new attitudes under a new and capable manager and hoped to rebuild public confidence and improve results.

The development control service employs 15 staff and cost the council £365,910 in the last financial year. It dealt with 890 planning applications in 2001-2002.

Updated: 09:02 Wednesday, February 26, 2003