Planning permission/incompetent council (shock)
Discussion
V6Pushfit said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
It's not really the council/planning department being incompetent is it? It's simply a lack of staff. This is a major issue nationally.
I wish I could ignore work coming in, just not do it and take every other day off. Things would fall apart but I wouldn't be incompetent??Try calling around 9am, 5pm or on a Friday - there's no one in.
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
V8RX7 said:
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
I'm not sure that I agree that they have done a better job with Building Control - I still prefer using LABC, wherever possible.But in any case, can you imagine the fuss people wold make if Planning were privatised? Most of the general public have convinced themselves that the Planning system is corrupt and works entirely on brown envelopes full of cash as it is... there's no way they'd stand for development decisions being taken by private companies.
V8RX7 said:
V6Pushfit said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
It's not really the council/planning department being incompetent is it? It's simply a lack of staff. This is a major issue nationally.
I wish I could ignore work coming in, just not do it and take every other day off. Things would fall apart but I wouldn't be incompetent??Try calling around 9am, 5pm or on a Friday - there's no one in.
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
V6pushfit - You think they ignore work? Or do you not think they might have to prioritise? And if they've only been employed on a part-time basis then why should they come in at times when they don't have to?
Swervin_Mervin said:
It's not really the council/planning department being incompetent is it? It's simply a lack of staff. This is a major issue nationally.
I personally disagree, but appreciate that is your opinion. 8 weeks to assess an application, discuss with highways engineers, discuss with conservation officer, look at any other parameters or various articles the property might fall under etc and then grant permission - I can understand that timescale and actually think it is relatively reasonable.Other than sheer incompetence though (be it on behalf of the individual, the department, the management or whatever else), I don't see any reason why it should take another 7-8 weeks to look at a 2 page pdf of some pictures of a brick and say "yes that's fine". We are after all replacing a brick wall with a brick wall, a wood door with a wood door, some iron gates with some iron gates etc etc and they have given us planning permission for exactly that (the materials were outlined in the initial application).
People seem to forget that this is a paid for service, it is hardly as if I am relying on the goodwill of a team of generous volunteers.
Anyway we shall get there in the end I am sure, based on the advice thus far I think a bit of patience is the best solution so will hold off until we have word from our friends at the council
When we were doing a barn conversion, planners made it a condition that we had to erect a bird nesting box on a mature tree within our site before commencing work. I resisted the urge to ask whether we they expected us to plant a tree then wait 30 years for it to mature as we had no trees on site. Instead I asked for a variation to erect a the box on a neighbour's tree instead. They took 3 visits and 8 weeks to agree to this. We just managed to get the work started before the neighbour cut down his tree , removing the box in the process. Luckily we had taken photos of the box prior to the tree being felled and were able to prove we had complied with the condition.The planning t
ts still grumbled about it.
ts still grumbled about it.V8RX7 said:
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
Unfortunately that wouldnt work/cant possibly work. Thankfully the move to do it that way saw sense.There's too much at stake. It would be like having Old Bailey Judges employed via a recruitment agency
V6Pushfit said:
V8RX7 said:
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
Unfortunately that wouldnt work/cant possibly work. Thankfully the move to do it that way saw sense.There's too much at stake. It would be like having Old Bailey Judges employed via a recruitment agency
V8RX7 said:
...they are currently just people doing a job (slowly and poorly) there is some unfairness now and no doubt there would be in a Private sector but I don't see why it would suddenly change.
It never the less remains totally unacceptable in terms of political accountability.V8RX7 said:
The Private sector could do a better job for half the money - just like they have with Building Control
talking to a builder yesterday large two story extension,, the private inspector hasnt been on the job yet,"just send photos" and its about finished, not sure how thats a better service,the dodgy builders love it, I dont think the owners understand the shortcuts taken but "its cheap so must be a good deal??"
bobtail4x4 said:
talking to a builder yesterday large two story extension,, the private inspector hasnt been on the job yet,"just send photos" and its about finished, not sure how thats a better service,
the dodgy builders love it, I don't think the owners understand the shortcuts taken but "its cheap so must be a good deal??"
^^^ This.the dodgy builders love it, I don't think the owners understand the shortcuts taken but "its cheap so must be a good deal??"
If your definition of 'better' is being abbe to bend the rules and throw up something substandard for minimum cost, then private building control is excellent.
I'd rather do it right, in which case LABC gives me more confidence that they will be impartial and professional in their approach.
Equus said:
If your definition of 'better' is being abbe to bend the rules and throw up something substandard for minimum cost, then private building control is excellent.
I'd rather do it right, in which case LABC gives me more confidence that they will be impartial and professional in their approach.
I built a new house a few years ago.I'd rather do it right, in which case LABC gives me more confidence that they will be impartial and professional in their approach.
I doubt the Council inspector spent a total of 10 minutes on the job in total.
His final inspection consisted of asking me if fire doors and alarms were fitted - he accepted my word that they were.
V8RX7 said:
Equus said:
If your definition of 'better' is being abbe to bend the rules and throw up something substandard for minimum cost, then private building control is excellent.
I'd rather do it right, in which case LABC gives me more confidence that they will be impartial and professional in their approach.
I built a new house a few years ago.I'd rather do it right, in which case LABC gives me more confidence that they will be impartial and professional in their approach.
I doubt the Council inspector spent a total of 10 minutes on the job in total.
His final inspection consisted of asking me if fire doors and alarms were fitted - he accepted my word that they were.
V6Pushfit said:
10 mins or 10 hours - still the same liability
Indeed: none whatsoever, essentially, whether you go for private or LABC.But private has an incentive to cut corners in pursuit of happy clients and bigger operating profits, whereas LABC don't worry too much about either, and are more incentivised by ideals of professional competence and public service.
There are good and bad on both sides, of course, but having used both (and NHBC), I know which I favour as a general rule.
Equus said:
V6Pushfit said:
10 mins or 10 hours - still the same liability
Indeed: none whatsoever, essentially, whether you go for private or LABC.But private has an incentive to cut corners in pursuit of happy clients and bigger operating profits, whereas LABC don't worry too much about either, and are more incentivised by ideals of professional competence and public service.
There are good and bad on both sides, of course, but having used both (and NHBC), I know which I favour as a general rule.
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