Powys Planning Department

Powys County Council's Planning Department appears once again to be under siege with the County Times - no friend of the County Council - wading in following complaints from agents working in the area. Incredibly, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and one or two County Councillors have joined the bandwagon in criticising their own staff. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot! Good though that the Council has decided to take action against these maverick councillors who spout off in ignorance but always for an eye for a cheap shot to gain publicity. The appointment of this chairman - socially and intellectually inept as he is - was always going to backfire and demonstrates the reluctance of other key Councillors to recognise the benefits that can flow from a properly resourced Planning Service.

As for the complaining agents, no surprise then to see a former District Council Chief Executive leading the charge. Again no friend of Powys and someone who has dabbled in planning as he has looked around for quick buck to supplement his fat pension (as well as acting as Glyn Davies' stooge - the Tory party hell bent on dismantling the planning system at the national level). My observation is that there are too many agents in Mid Wales who do not understand the planning system, which has become increasingly complex and passed many amateur agents by over the last few years.

In defence of the Planning Department, my experience of Powys Planners is generally good and in Councillor Wynne Jones they have a Board Member at the helm who has supported the need for modernisation. The planning system as a result is now transparent and few "dodgy" decisions are now made. One wonders whether the recent criticism is more to do with agents now being unable to "tap-up" Councillors and Councillors themselves showing a disinterest in planning matters locally as their old influencing powers have been removed in favour of better planning decisions being made on proper planning grounds. The staff in the Planning Department should continue to act professionally and challenge the planning application submissions of local agents. Thankfully the Planning Department is demanding better quality planning applications and developments that respect the character and quality of our natural and built environment.