A political storm is brewing over plans by Winchester Conservatives to change the decision-making structure for city council planners.

The Tories want to break up the council's current planning committee into three smaller bodies.

Their proposed structure is outlined in a letter sent to the Chronicle by Winchester prospective parliamentary candidate, George Hollingbery.

"We will suggest that the process would be hugely improved by the formation of three local planning committees; one centred on Winchester City, one on the southern parishes, and one on the northern parishes. Each would be made up of the councillors from that area."

Leader of Winchester Labour group, Patrick Davies, who sits on the planning committee, has condemned the Tory proposals: "I think it would be disastrous done that way because it would lead to dreadful parochialism.

"The advantage of the present system is that people do not just take into account what's happening in their own back yard. They appreciate the wider picture.

"The present set-up does need reform, because meetings can go on from 10am until 7.30pm, but that's a matter for the chairmen of the committee."

Liberal Democrat, David Atwell, who chairs the planning committee, agrees the process needs reforming but condemned the Tory proposals.

"I think it would not work at all. The advantage of having an overall planning committee is you get more objective decision making.

"Under Mr Hollingbery's idea, members would be under immense pressure from local residents' groups. We should be making planning decisions in line with planning law, not just people's objections.

"I agree with Patrick Davies. We have got to find a way of making the meetings shorter. I'm going to talk it over with the leader of the council because the workload of the planning committee has increased substantially."

Mr Atwell added that he would consider restricting members to one speech per planning item to speed up the process, though he admitted such a move would be unpopular.

He attributed the committee's increased work to public consultation on planning issues, and the increasing role of neighbourhood pressure groups.

William Gubbins, who chairs the St Thomas Street Residents'Association in central Winchester, thinks councillors from outside the city have too much planning influence: "We have decided that there's an out-of-town basis to the committee," he said.

Planning spokesman for Alresford town council, Robin Atkins, believes the problem is equally acute outside Winchester. "We have a lot of decisions made about Alresford by councillors based in Winchester who do not make decisions in the interests of Alresford."

Mr Atkins, who represents Labour, said he backed George Hollingbery (who also sits on the town council) in his planning reforms. "I've never voted Conservative, but I do not care. If the idea's right, then it's right," he said.

The Conservative proposals are being sent to city and county councillors, parish councils, and selected civic and neighbourhood groups.

The plans can be viewed and commented on by visiting www.wintory.co.uk.