Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:David Tennant's application to build house extention | |
Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
Date/Time: | 10/11/15 12:05:00 |
That's useful clarification Sam for those posters who might not be aware of the role of the CAF in planning decisions, which is different to how it was in the days of the Area Committee when the Members sitting on the committee had decision making powers. I actually much preferred the old format, both in terms of enabling the final decision making process on smallish applications to be done at local level, and also as a Council Officer I always felt attending/presenting to the different Area Committees really made me appreciate how attitudes towards development could vary enormously, and as an Officer you really had to be tuned in to who you were presenting to. Not been to CAF lately but last time I did (speaking on behalf on an applicant) I found it a very frustrating process because Members only have the benefit of afew bullet points from their Officers, rather than a detailed report, and when I was there I can't even recall if a Planning Officer was present or not but I ended up feeling as though the whole process required me to almost step into the Planning Officer's shoes, correcting any misunderstanding Members may have had about planning law etc. which isn't a position speakers should be put in (and the one thing I always tell junior colleagues the worst thing you can do when speaking at committees is to be seen as talking down to Councillors...and certainly to never ever threaten to appeal if they dare to refuse your scheme !). |