Not another planning complaint!

[Gary Prentice]

I'm normally complaining a planning departments and their inefficiently in providing information and determining applications within a reasonable period of time, but I'm gobsmacked today.

 

There's been some changes in my local LA, one of the arb lads has come off of the tools and is now dealing with the whole application process, assessing the works, the tree and writing up the decision to be signed off by the head of planning. He's a nice lad, helpful on the phone/email and seems to be all the ball.

 

Anyway, I've a site, with no protection, that borders on an Area TPO and conservation area with an indistinct boundary. It's caused me headaches for years, right back to when the residential development (with the area TPO) was developed, working out who owned what and what was protected. We've a fair bit of work to do on the commercial, unprotected, site but one tree between the two sites, that may or may not be protected, needs a bit of pruning. 

 

So a few days ago, I rang the TO to explain the situation and to see what mapping he had. He sent some plans showing the CA and area TPO boundary, plus two individual trees - one within the Area and one outside. Yep, the one outside is my sycamore

 

I submitted the app yesterday morning, along with a note asking that as soon as it was determined could he let me know, so we could get on. I'm happy enough with an email saying okay and then getting the consent form at some later date. Fifty minutes after submitting, I get an email to say that the application has been reviewed, no problem with the specification and we may proceed   Bearing in mind that this isn't a hazardous tree or anything, I appreciated that, it's just an application to reduce back some encroaching limbs, so I was expecting something in around 4 weeks or more..

 

This morning, 23 hours after submitting, I get the full written consent form  (Can anyone beat that?) I've never had that before in 30 years. I think that they've either got him chained to his desk 24/7 or they've given me my own personal planning/tree officer after all the fuss I've kicked up over the last few years 

 

We're all quick to complain, but when someone puts themselves out, that should also be broadcast. I can go back to my client a hero, cos I've sorted the planning out and the work can be done as soon as we can schedule it, because of our 'relationship' with the arb officers, so he's made me/us look good. What a star!

 

 

 

[WesD]

47 minutes ago, Gary Prentice said:

I'm normally complaining a planning departments and their inefficiently in providing information and determining applications within a reasonable period of time, but I'm gobsmacked today.

 

There's been some changes in my local LA, one of the arb lads has come off of the tools and is now dealing with the whole application process, assessing the works, the tree and writing up the decision to be signed off by the head of planning. He's a nice lad, helpful on the phone/email and seems to be all the ball.

 

Anyway, I've a site, with no protection, that borders on an Area TPO and conservation area with an indistinct boundary. It's caused me headaches for years, right back to when the residential development (with the area TPO) was developed, working out who owned what and what was protected. We've a fair bit of work to do on the commercial, unprotected, site but one tree between the two sites, that may or may not be protected, needs a bit of pruning. 

 

So a few days ago, I rang the TO to explain the situation and to see what mapping he had. He sent some plans showing the CA and area TPO boundary, plus two individual trees - one within the Area and one outside. Yep, the one outside is my sycamore

 

I submitted the app yesterday morning, along with a note asking that as soon as it was determined could he let me know, so we could get on. I'm happy enough with an email saying okay and then getting the consent form at some later date. Fifty minutes after submitting, I get an email to say that the application has been reviewed, no problem with the specification and we may proceed   Bearing in mind that this isn't a hazardous tree or anything, I appreciated that, it's just an application to reduce back some encroaching limbs, so I was expecting something in around 4 weeks or more..

 

This morning, 23 hours after submitting, I get the full written consent form  (Can anyone beat that?) I've never had that before in 30 years. I think that they've either got him chained to his desk 24/7 or they've given me my own personal planning/tree officer after all the fuss I've kicked up over the last few years 

 

We're all quick to complain, but when someone puts themselves out, that should also be broadcast. I can go back to my client a hero, cos I've sorted the planning out and the work can be done as soon as we can schedule it, because of our 'relationship' with the arb officers, so he's made me/us look good. What a star!

 

 

 

Great post and it’s good to big people up when deserved. 

[AHPP]

Urgh. They're only doing their (miserable) job. And they work for the government. Not even the most genuinely helpful servant will get more than an inch longer rope when the time comes, brothers.

[donnk]

planning laws. created to protect buildings that were built long ago when there were no planning laws.

 

 

[Khriss]

Amazing what happens when you talk to someone who actually knows wot to do. ! K

[daltontrees]

Nice to hear something good about TOs. Our local TO started a year ago, he was thorough and quick and helpful. 6 months later he was bogged down in stuff, he's still helpful but you're in a long queue. That's what happens if you're anyway good in local government, the bureaucracy catches up with you and grinds you down, plus because you're helpful and competent you get given or take on more and more until you're working at the same pace as all the rest.

[daltontrees]

13 hours ago, Gary Prentice said:

We're all quick to complain, but when someone puts themselves out, that should also be broadcast.

Don't praise him to us, tell his boss and every Councillor you meet.

[Gary Prentice]

5 minutes ago, daltontrees said:

Don't praise him to us, tell his boss and every Councillor you meet.

You’re right, I’ll email the head of the council who I complained to about the last one. 

[Mark Bolam]

It must be catching Gary.

 

Efficient and helpful service from my TO again this week.

[Gary Prentice]

10 minutes ago, daltontrees said:

Nice to hear something good about TOs. Our local TO started a year ago, he was thorough and quick and helpful. 6 months later he was bogged down in stuff, he's still helpful but you're in a long queue. That's what happens if you're anyway good in local government, the bureaucracy catches up with you and grinds you down, plus because you're helpful and competent you get given or take on more and more until you're working at the same pace as all the rest.

Definitely, I’m told if your good everyone comes to you. No one bothers with the time-servers.

 

its always been the planning officer letting the team down, with this fellow doing that job things should be so much better.