| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Lunatic alert | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 05/08/18 12:30:00 |
| I often get asked that question Vanessa, i.e. "would I want [insert description of development] next to me ?". And my answer is always the same, "what's the relevance of the question ?". The planning system isn't based on what the majority want, it isn't a popularity contest. Just because 100 people object to an application doesn't make it unacceptable in planning terms, nor if 100 people support an application is it necessarily acceptable. There's many schemes I put forward I wouldn't like to live next to. There's many elements of the planning system I don't agree it, but it is what it is. My moral compass (which is pretty strong is terms of fundamental right and wrong) doesn't extend so far that I've going to decline to work on schemes I wouldn't like to live next door to and quite frankly the same logic applies to 99.9% of the population in whatever line of work they're in. And if they say otherwise they're fibbing. The ironic thing here is that I completely agree with you and Keith in respect of the merits of this application, and I've made that absolutely clear. I've never suggested Decaux are "right" or that they know better, what I keep saying is that they know what they've doing and I suspect they're taking a punt on this with a view to it being refused by the Council and an Inspector possibly (again I think it's unlikely) allowing an appeal. But what I don't get is how their willingness to take that risk equates to them being "lunatics" or "wrong"...they're simply doing what advertisement companies do. If they didn't, they wouldn't be successful as a business. It's no different to what I do, every day of the week I'll give advice to clients about the chances of obtaining planning permission, both from Councils and on appeal, sometimes client heed my advice and walk away, other times they decide to take a punt. I like to think I have a pretty good idea of when an application is going to be refused by a Council and hence when the client is going to have to factor in the costs/times associated with an appeal. I wouldn't have the business that I do if I wasn't willing to upset people along the way, it comes with the territory. Like or loathe developers and/or the people that represent them, but respect us too - as I always say to objectors keep your representations level-headed and rational too (i.e. labelling applicants as 'lunatics' isn't a good start !). |