| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Empire House Development | |
| Posted by: | Paul Corcoran | |
| Date/Time: | 23/11/14 09:01:00 |
| Of course the developer aims to maximise profits - and I don't believe there is anything wrong with that as long as they are within the law. You are right in saying that the Council has a responsibility to enforce the regulations but often there are grey areas and I suspect an over-stretched planning team would prefer to steer clear of them. The developers know the law and probably believe they always stay within it, even though they may be testing its limits. It is therefore down to residents and residents' groups to present a case against any given development. The one thing we all should have learnt by now from Adam Beamish's contributions on this forum is that planning is not a popularity contest. It doesn't matter how many people object to a plan, if there are no legal grounds for objection then it will go ahead. I am not certain that Lend Lease's duplicity about way they presented views of the scheme amounts to a breach of the law. It is a well known problem that developers will always avoid showing pictures of the most controversial views of a scheme. Jonathan's idea about virtual models is a good one. CABE has suggested that for larger schemes independent architects be commissioned to present views of the impact of new buildings as part of the planning process but, up to now, the developers can get away with showing you carefully selected ones. They do have a statutory obligation to consult with and inform the local community. The could potentially be a more interesting area for opponents to pursue. If they haven't done this properly then at least the project could be delayed. Did holding a couple of public information meetings which seem to have been publicised by putting out an A board on Chiswick High Road meet their legal obligations? Can any planning application in Chiswick said to be valid given that Chiswick doesn't really have a local newspaper and notice of applications are supposed to be published in one? Empire House/Essex Place is likely to be the first of many similar battles. These are going to take place with a Council which is now avowedly pro-development so a sympathetic reading of any plans is likely from the planning department. The same skills that many people in Chiswick have developed in fighting PCNs need to be brought into play in this higher stakes game. If enough possible technical breaches of planning law can be found including de minimis ones then maybe when a case goes to appeal there will be a better chance of a positive outcome. |