| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Planning application notices | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 10/07/20 17:03:00 |
| "It does suit a lot of powerful interests that the public are kept out of the loop on plans like this." That's the usual conspiracy theory Dan, but it simply doesn't stand up to scrutiny. If an application gets approved without the LPA carrying out the statutory consultation required under the Order, that permission is at risk of being declared a nullity when challenged in the High Court, which will cost the applicant significant sums in terms of both time delays and having to resubmit, all because the LPA didn't do its job properly. The only reason I usually flag up with a client the potential for significant local opposition to a proposal is to make the client aware that in such circumstances it's more likely the application will be referred to committee for decision (usually meaning the decision will take longer), and in turn that increases the possibility of Members playing to the public gallery at committee and overturning the Officer recommendation, leading to increased costs and delays to my client in having to pursue an appeal. Harsh as it may sound, upsetting the locals is part of the job, I wouldn't be doing my job if my advice to a client, either wishing to build something or wishing to object to an application, was in some way swayed by concerns about local residents objecting. And most of the time clients recognise that it comes with the territory and will ride it out, that's why I will usually flag up the potential for local opposition at an early stage, so that the client is under no illusion. |