| I don't think that's a completely fair assumption. The planning process is governed by legislation but has a built in 'presumption' in favour of development and which this government is going to make a whole lot easier, to the detriment of local people's views quite often. Also big developers have massive resources at their disposal to fight the process, and council's have to have regard to their chances of being successful and the cost of any case if their decision is challenged. And don't forget applicants have the right of appeal if they are refused permission. That does not excuse officers not talking to people or in some cases refusing to do a site visit to try and understand what objectors or applicants are concerned about. Sometimes you get the impression they do what they like just because they can. If only they occasionally had to live with the results of their decisions. |