| 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: | Vanessa Smith | |
| Date/Time: | 18/07/20 12:03:00 |
| 'I would assume in a well run council councillors on the planning committee would be very reluctant to override an officer's recommendation and if the application involved a councillor they wouldn't even consider doing so.' I think there are other factors at play here - and I speak from experience as a former councillor. Councillors to all intents and purposes are advocates for their community, which they should know very well. I can well remember a planning applicaiton on my patch which the officers recommended for approval, me and a ward colleague were horrified and considered it over development and certainly not in keeping with the area, as we knew the area well. It was refused at committee and sometime later the officer rang me - having been walking around and actually said - 'You know, you were right, it would have been far too much for the site'. These things are never black and white, another application for a loft extension we thought was dreadful and stuck out like a sore thumb - but officers stood us hard and fast it should be allowed, and it was. However, a long time after the loft work had been completed we happened to have planning enforcement officer on the patch - when he caught sight of this extension he nearly had a fit and thought enforcement action should be taken! My collegaue and I pointed out - knowing the history - that we had actually made all the points the enforcement officer was making at the time of the application, and got told we didnt know what we were talking about. But we would - if any action were to be taken - support the householder - who had jumped through all the required hoops and done nothing wrong. A lot of things, as Adam says, are subjective, elected members should make themselves familiar with their ward, and if on the main planning committee - take the trouble to go and look at sites they are not familiar with in other areas of the borough. If you have any connection with an applicant/application then you should declare an interest and not take part in any meeting that discusses it. Members have to have regard to the professional opinion of officers and the legislation but local knowledge can be a very valuable asset too, in making decisions. |