are planning decisions political?
You bet. Whilst in theory they're supposed to be taken purely on the grounds of planning related concerns, the reality can be very different:
- Party politics often gets in the way of planning decisions so that success can often seem random rather than consistent
- Every Local Authority, Town, District or City Council is different. Therefore, before you submit your application to Councillors on Planning Committees it makes sense to know the audiences that await you - and how best to communicate with them - to achieve your goals
- You may think an application is guaranteed only to find that it's refused due to protests and concerns that you could - and should - have known about earlier
- Some decision-making Councillors are not as well briefed on planning laws and policy as they ought to be
- Pressure applied to Councillors is often based on arguments with no link to planning policy
- Local and national media may take a position for or against your application and carry much influence
- Whilst Planning Officers are supposed to be unbiased, it's inevitable that they sometimes feel under pressure from Councillors to produce a report and recommendation that reflects public opinion
- Elected Councillors are often under pressure from local residents, activists, single issue campaigners, local and national media and their party members
- Protesters and activist groups are better organised than ever, and are more aware of electoral timetables and politicians' pressure points
- Planning applications approached solely on technical or legal grounds risk being repeatedly blocked, often at the last minute
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