Post in Local vs Global

May 26 14:24 UTC

I'm not sure that referring EVERY planning application to elected
councillors would deliver what people are looking for.

Most planning decisions are taken within a framework of established planning
policies that have been developed through a very long process of public
consultation and scrutiny.  There can be genuine public input into that
process.

Once clear and detailed planning policies are established, surely the
Council should be bound to follow them?  This is BEST done by using
'delegated powers', subject to the requirement that the officers concerned
have no discretion to set established policies aside.

If you start referring ALL planning applications to a committee of elected
councillors, you are surely inviting councillors to treat each application
'on its merits'.  At the very least, you are inviting councillors to
consider departing from established policy in a particular case, on the
basis that there are 'special considerations' that apply.

THAT is the fastest route to corrupt local government that I can think of.
How long would it be before we saw the re-emergence of the secret lobbying
that we thought had been eradicated when proper planning committees replaced
the 'Old Boy Network'.

And I've not mentioned the sheer volume of work that councillors would have
to do.  Either the planning system would grind to a halt, or councillors
would find themselves so overwhelmed with work that the big, important
issues would have to be neglected.