| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Planning application notices | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 16/07/20 21:56:00 |
| It's not so much an attitude Jeremy, more 22 years experience in this field working on both sides of the fence and a full understanding of the process. Members override Officer recommendations quite frequently, although more often it is when Officers recommend approval and Members overrule and refuse the application. Sometimes with good/justifiable reasons, other times because they're playing to the public gallery, after all it's that public gallery who elects them. The identity of the applicant isn't a material consideration to the decision maker, so in the same way the fact the applicant is a Councillor (or an employee) wouldn't affect the Officer recommendation, nor should it influence the Member decision. Many planning issues are subjective and certainly in the case which this particular thread has moved onto the issues were very subjective - if I'd have been the Case Officer I'd have probably recommended approval given the particular site specific circumstances, and I doubt there was consensus amongst the Officers about whether the application should be recommended for approval or approval. Indeed many times at Hounslow and other authorities when myself and other Senior Officers reviewed reports and recommendations from our colleagues there was disagreement about the recommendation. I might have various planning qualifications, lots of experience and an in-depth knowledge of policies and legislation, but when it comes to design and appearance considerations it is all about subjective judgement. Afew years back I had an application for a residential redevelopment recommended for approval by Officers, Members unanimously resolved to refuse the application on design grounds, we went to appeal, the Inspector dismissed that appeal. But again, the Inspector is a single person and in that case the sole issue was subjective, which only illustrates the point further about the importance of subjectivity. |