Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:New Low Reached By Dodgy Developers? | |
Posted by: | Paul Corcoran | |
Date/Time: | 14/10/15 08:41:00 |
Adam, as ever thank you for such a full and informative reply. I've learnt about the planning process from your posts than anywhere else. Firstly, on the issue of corruption I am not suggesting that there is anything untoward about the current application. Rather there is a systemic risk of corruption if there is little or no transparency which there will be if fully-formed applications endorsed by the planning authority emerge from pre-application discussions. I take on board fully that the involvement of Councillors in the process can be anything but a guard against corruption. Recent experience in Hounslow borough is ample demonstration of that. However, it is not corrupt for Councillors to try and represent what they feel to be the genuine concerns of residents' groups. It is understood that in some cases there may be valid commercial reasons for confidentiality but the land for the Chiswick Roundabout scheme has already been acquired. Could there be any other reason for secrecy other than an attempt to get this plan through with the minimum amount of objections? The concern has to be that all democratic control of they system seems to have disappeared. The building of a 32 storey tower at this site will set a benchmark for future development at the B&Q site and along Power Road. The resulting forest of tall buildings will be represent the most profound change to the W4 area since the blitz. Yet nobody will have voted for it, no elected politician will have advocated it and no wave of opposition from the electorate will be able to put a stop to it. |