| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Footbridge at Chiswick Station | |
| Posted by: | Philippa Bond | |
| Date/Time: | 12/08/25 13:57:00 |
| Planning has become incredibly complex and bureaucratic and so things get lost in implementation. I'm told that Planning should be simplified while Building Control needs to be enhanced and diligent. Simplifying planning will save time and money for everybody and result in focus on the important planning issues. However stronger and enhanced Building Control is needed to protect the public. At present a Planning Application requires Reports on every single aspect of creating the building before even the principle of allowing it has been agreed. This makes the process of applying for Planning Permission very expensive and lengthy. At conclusion a Planning Permission if granted will often be subject to endless Conditions - many of which can be challenged adding to the cost and time. And the number of them makes it difficult and costly for a Local Authority to check compliance. The answer is to focus Planning on Planning Issues such as Use, Size, Shape etc. Leave Compliance with Building Control aspects such as Energy, Sustainability, Construction Methodology etc to an Enhanced Building Control Regime. This will save Developers and Local Authorities massive amounts of money and shorten the time to certainty of planning acceptability. It seems normal nowadays to spend several million pounds making a substantial Planning Application and to take two or three years to get to a decision point when the application may be arbitrarily refused. Planning therefore becomes a Developers' lottery. |