| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Lunatic alert | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 06/08/18 11:21:00 |
| I have to admit I have no qualms whatsoever about supporting planning applications which I know aren't going to be supported by some/many local residents. It comes with the territory, as long as I feel that I've got strong planning arguments to support the application then I'll submit it, and regardless of whether the application receives 10, 50 or 500 objections won't affect my involvement in the application. That's my 'business' decision, I don't take on projects I don't believe have got a hope in hell, as I'm not in the business of taking money off clients for the sake of it, but if I turned down business because I was 'worried' about upsetting the locals then quite frankly I wouldn't be cut out for the private sector in the first place. If, as they occasionally do, clients decide to back out of projects due to the level of public feeling then that's a decision for them for make. Earlier this year I had an application which received over 700 objections, but in planning terms the scheme was entirely acceptable - I told the client before we submitted that I was confident we'd get Officer support, but that there was bound to be considerable resistance from the locals. Which was exactly how it played out, we went to committee with a resolution for approval despite the 700+ objections, but of course Councillors played to the public gallery and refused it in what was little more than a show trial. Now with my professional hat on I was all for appealing that refusal as I've little doubt an appeal would have been allowed, but the client didn't have the appetite for the fight, fair enough, their decision. But if another client came to me tomorrow and said "we want to go again on that site again" I wouldn't hesitate to upset those 700 people again - I'm a planning consultant, it's nothing personal, but if I know a scheme has strong planning grounds then I'll support it, and residents will object to it, that's how it is. |