Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:32-storey tower at Chiswick roundabout | |
Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
Date/Time: | 06/01/16 22:46:00 |
Right, I'm sure you all know this but for the avoidance of doubt... I'm a local resident since 2002. I'm also a qualified town planner with over 17 years experience working for Councils (including Hounslow between 2001 - 2006), a major housebuilder and for the last 8 years as a private consultant acting on behalf of developers, individuals, Councils and community groups both in support of and in opposition to planning proposals. Back in the dim & distant past in my early stages of my employment with LBH I thought it might be beneficial to post on here in a professional capacity. 14 years on I'm far more cynical and consequently when I post on here I always make it absolutely clear that I am posting as a local resident who happens to be a planning consultant. I'm always entirely straight and upfront, and I've always made it categorically clear to the forum that I will steer clear of discussions relating to any sites within the Borough where I have (or recently had) a professional involvement. Hence I've always spelt it out that I had a professional involvement in previous proposals on this site (particularly the Octopus) as Kim Gottlieb is a client of mine, and as Paul confirms (and as I've always been upfront about) I was involved in the current proposals for the roundabout site at an early stage. Whilst I am not professionally involved in the project at this time, I have always said that I am not going to be part of any discussions about the current proposals, because I don't feel it would be fair on anyone if I did as forum readers would be unclear if I was posting as a local resident, on behalf of the applications, or in some other professional capacity. However when I'm asked a direct question like Paul did yesterday then I'll answer, particularly if I feel I need to to protect my professional reputation. I'm very much aware that a minority of posters (none of whom have ever actually met me) think I am completely pro-development, which isn't the case at all, as I say my role involves both supporting and objecting to development proposals, and sometimes my professional knowledge and expertise is contrary to my own personal feelings or opinion. I also know that often what I say isn't what people want to hear, but I'm only clarifying the relevant planning position. Why do I post ? (a question my Mrs. often asks) - I may currently work for a very large multi-disciplinary consultancy, but I'm not Mr. Corporate and I think it's beneficial to me to sometimes offer clarification on planning matters at a grass roots level - I genuinely enjoy public interaction. I'm not going to deny that it also brings in the occasional work instruction too, but probably 80% of people who contact me off the forum do so just to ask queries and I'm happy to give a opinion or view for free. So that's me... |