Editor – Last week’s report of lengthy delays in deciding planning applications came as little surprise to me.
In my first post as a Planning Officer in 1975, every planning application was listed for consideration at the next monthly meeting of the Planning Committee. Not all were decided as some were awaiting consultation replies or needed modification. However, reports seldom exceeded half a page (partly to keep printing costs down). By the time I left that authority in 1989, computers were only just being introduced, (photocopiers were still a novelty), but I personally processed 300 applications
in that final year. Many years later, applications now have to be submitted on-line through the Scottish Government portal with an elaborate validation process to be negotiated. Applications have to be considered against a 150 page Local Development Plan. Little wonder that even simple applications are subject to reports extending to over 12 pages. Despite all that, refusals of applications are as rare as hens’ teeth. One might deduce that Argyll and Bute’s policy is really Build anything Anywhere. Just don’t expect a quick decision.
David Eaglesham
Colintraive
