| Topic: | Re:Re:Front page article re. area planning committees | |
| Posted by: | Adam Beamish | |
| Date/Time: | 09/06/11 15:37:00 |
| Hmm, it's fascinating to read some of the posts on here and contrast the postings of afew people (based on one-off experiences or even what somewhat drunk at a party said) with 13 years of experience in the business. Because honestly, perception and reality are miles apart. As a Council Officer I never paid the slightest attention to who the architect was. As a consultant, I appoint/work with a large number of architects, and the only credibility I could give to the perception is that I'll usually recommend someone who I know regularly submits applications to the Borough concerned, simply because it's better to work with an architect who knows the Council's policies etc, than someone who doesn't. For example, we're based in Teddington, and inevitably submit lots of applications to Richmond, so we know most of the Council officers etc. In no way, apart from our own knowledge of the Council's policies which typically manifests itself in the actual application we submit (as one would expect), does our regular dealings with the Council help us in securing planning permission. Only at the moment I'm working on a project in Richmond alongside a well known local architect and the reality is that the Council is giving us a hell of a time, even though in my view the application we're putting together is really strong. By the way, it wasn't me at the party Sarah went to ;-) |