Are planning officers on message with the 1.5 million homes?
No one envies a planning officer their job… Imagine doing the job of three or four people (for the same measly pay) then getting shouted at by Councillors and being accused by NIMBYs of “being on the take”. Then as a special treat, they get to go to Planning Committees where, almost invariably, their professional judgement is being challenged (or worse, simply belittled).
We know there is a big frustration sometimes with developers when planning officers are sometimes a bit slow to respond or if they ask really annoying things like more information. Well… the reality is that quite often they are just so snowed under that they don’t have time to respond in 5 minutes and if they ask for more information, they do it make sure that those annoying people who scrutinise their work on planning committees can’t “prove” they are the idiots NIMBYs make them out to be.
But the question is, do they get the message about the 1.5 million homes?
I want to tell you about four officers I have had the tremendous pleasure of working with over the past week that absolutely restored by faith that they REALLY are the good guys and if you work with them, they will take a bullet for you.
I’m not going to name them to spare blushes.
First is an Associate Director for Place at a busy District. Her door is always open and she has facilitated a meeting with the case officer and the S106 officer. Her reason was simple. They need the housing and specifically on the S106 they are working with two other developers and the local Parish Council to deliver much needed sports infrastructure. No money vanishing into a hole, this is hard earned S106 working for the developers on a tangible outcome for the community. This will get us lots of support at the consultation.
Then there is a Principal Planning Officer (Major Projects) whose office doesn’t even have a door it is so open. He is so on side and working so closely with us, he feels like a member of the team. His motivation? He knows his job is to get back to a 5YHLS and he knows that his planning committee scrutinises in detail. He knows his planning committee and he is helping us to ensure that when we get to that committee, the members will be satisfied and comfortable to put their hands up.
Then there are two planning officers who gave us really valuable advice about how to approach councillors (and how they will facilitate engagement with Councillors). They listened attentively to our proposals of modern consultation and remarked that they think an online based consultation with social media engaging with parts of the population usually left out of consultations will be great. They want to hear from that younger demographic who needs the homes. It is great when officers understand that our consultations will make their work easier too
So, do get in touch and I’ll tell you more!
Henry
07736121014