Planning training for councillors

It is a widely acknowledged fact that members of Local Authority Planning Committees will often make planning decisions on the basis of party political considerations, local controversy or personal taste.  Councillors have been seen to vote in party blocks and also cave in to local pressure if a scheme is thought controversial, regardless of advice from planning officers.  But now CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) is hoping to give them something else to think about.  A new scheme is being piloted to educate planning committee members about urban design at twelve councils across the country, in a bid to stop arbitrary or uneducated planning decisions.  If it is a success, it could be taken on by the new unit, CABE Skills, and rolled out to other local authorities.

It seems that, nationally, the problem is perceived as too many worthy planning applications are being refused against officer recommendations, resulting in a large number being overturned on appeal.  If only this were the case in Kerrier where, in our experience, too many poor applications are being approved against officer advice.  But planning law, at present, does not allow third party appeals against permission, despite major studies and campaigning by the national and local environmental bodies and the successful use of such an appeal system in other European countries.  So, in cases of permission being given by Kerrier’s planning committee, when contrary to officer advice and national/local planning policies, we must resort to asking the Government Office for the South West to “call-in” an application, so that the final decision is taken out of local councillors’ hands.  On the occasions that we have done this, we have been successful and, apparently, Kerrier District Council has received a warning from GOSW about the frequency of its perverse decisions and need for call-ins.

Parliament backs On-Line planning         extract from Building Design, 2003

The era of paper-based planning applications could be coming to an end as the Government cleared the way for applications to be processed online.  With more and more planners demanding that they be allowed to handle applications online, MPs and peers have voted to pass an order allowing electronic handling of parts of the planning system.  The Town & Country Planning (Electronic Communications) (England) Order 2003, which was passed by MPs in March, has now been given the go-ahead by the House of Lords.  It covers the submission, receipt and handling of planning applications, applications for Listed Buildings and Conservation Area consents, determination of whether prior approval is required, lawful use of development and Appeals.

Planning minister Tony McNulty said: “I suspect that we will eventually have a completely electronic system.  The potential benefits are considerable.  They include faster transmission between parties;  reduced postage and packaging, photocopying and printing;  reduced storage space for papers and files;  closer links between participants in the planning system;  and better access to guidance.”

Originally a farmhouse, “The Top House” has been a licensed hostelry for nearly 200 years, the last 50 years run by the Greenslade family.  Part of the bar houses a fine collection of 19^th century watercolours and antique prints of views of The Lizard and Kynance. There is an extensive collection of lifeboat and shipwreck artefacts and a miniature bottle collection.

A selection of hot and cold meals is served lunchtimes and evenings throughout the year.  In summer there is a small garden and in winter a welcoming fire burns.  Large carpark.

Moving with Bray & Co

Successfully selling properties

throughout the Lizard Peninsula, Helston and surrounding areas

The Square, St Keverne, Helston,
Cornwall TR12 6NG

Tel: 01326 280044

71 Meneage Street, Helston,
Cornwall TR13 8RB

Tel: 01326 562562