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Anyone read todays LET, page 15 the article headed Planning office 'is weak'

Auditors assessing HBC's annual performance labelled the planning department as "weak" after successful appeals roase from 26.7% to 41.1% last year.
The Council lost £49,336 on the appeal bids in addition to the cost of lost officer time.
They also stated that regeneration plans are at risk because they turn down too many planning applications.

May be the planning committee made up of butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers should follow the direction of the Technical Officers of the Council who are qualified planners. All to often you read of an application where the technical officers have recommended an application be passed, but the committee in their wisdom turn it down.


In the LET article PB blamed opposition councillors

"for reasons that have nothing to do with planning laws"
"I am not surprised the number of successful appeals is so high. Opposition councillors are playing party politics instead of doing what is best for the council, housholders and developers"

Any further ideas as to why the %age of successful appeals rose from 26.7% to 41.1%. That is some increase.