One thought on “Probity in Planning”

1. This is an interesting document, and there are several things that EDDC should take note of, and we would hope that this document has been circulated to and read by every member of the DMC (indeed I might just download it and send a copy to each of them just in case they missed it 🙂 ).

   Pages 11 & 12 provide guidance on Pre-Application discussions with developers and in particular:

   1. Pre-application discussions between a potential applicant and a council can benefit both parties and are encouraged. However, it would be easy for such discussions to become, or be seen by objectors to become, part of a lobbying process on the part of the applicant.

   2. Officers should be present with councillors in pre-application meetings. … Confirmation that a written note should be made of all meetings. An officer should make the arrangements for such meetings, attend and write notes. A note should also be taken of any phone conversations, and relevant emails recorded for the file. Notes should record issues raised and advice given. The note(s) should be placed on the file as a public record. If there is a legitimate reason for confidentiality regarding a proposal, a note of the non-confidential issues raised or advice given can still normally be placed on the file to reassure others not party to the discussion.

   3. Authorities have other mechanisms to involve councillors in pre-application discussions
   including: … developer presentations to committees which have the advantage of transparency
   if held in public as a committee would normally be (with notes taken).

   So, the secret meetings with developers so beloved by EDDC councillors are very much against the recommendations of the Planning Advisory Service which recommends public presentations by developers to DMC as an alternative.

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