Councillor, why are you depriving people from having a home?

I will start with a declaration of interest… I am writing to you this week from my new home! Yes, I have taken the time out from unpacking boxes to share with you the joyous experience of moving into a new house. You have all done it Councillor, you have had that wonderful experience of moving into a new home with your family. The excitement of deciding who is getting what room, and then getting the furniture in the rooms (sometimes easier said than done) and unpacking your worldly belongings. Buying those new curtains you need (but probably can’t afford but dear old MasterCard is sponsoring them for you). The joy of knowing that you have a safe and secure home for many years to come… a safe haven, a home for you and your loved ones. 

I observed a planning committee last week, in the home counties where the planning committee decided to deprive some 600 families of this joyous experience. It is a site that had been in planning for many years. Extensive work had been carried out with the County Council and with the District Council Planning Department. A professional team from the applicant that worked with the professional team at the Planning Department to work out the detail and to ensure that mitigation is in place so that the impact on the local community is overall a positive one. 

The officers then recommended the application for approval. A strong approval.

This is a Council that doesn’t have a 5YHLS, their Local Plan is out of date and their temporary accommodation bills are through the roof. They lack infrastructure and the new homes will pay not only for much needed facilities for the new homes, but also for the surrounding area that needs the infrastructure being paid for by the new homes. 

The planning committee meeting was frankly infuriating. The officers defended their recommendation to the hilt. The applicant had done much more than they needed to, they demonstrated care and consideration and gave policy compliant affordable homes because they believe that it is the right thing to do despite this being very challenging from a viability perspective. 

The committee was having none of it. There were a few ring-leaders who behaved appallingly towards their officers, belittling them and generally second guessing officers’ professional recommendation and advice.

One Councillor even went as far as to suggest that the committee wants to vote it down and the “clever officers” could come up with “reasons for refusal”! Unsurprisingly, the district solicitor who was at the meeting reminded this chap that the officers recommended it for approval and can’t now come up with contrary reasons (essentially saying they got it wrong as professionals and the amateur councillors got it right). 

So Councillor, stop and think. What are you doing? Are you following the law and enabling people to experience the joy of a home? If not, are you in the right job? 

Until next week,

Henry