Why was I surprised? Let's face it, nobody has actually read the NPPF in detail (or at all) have they? They've simply assumed what the draft guidance says and gone screeching around the media - and anyone else who will listen - claiming all kinds of ridiculous mayhem and the end of human existence as we know it.
I was warned by my wife early on in our marriage not to mention what I do for a living at partys (or in fact anywhere) for fear of never being invited back. The mere mention of Town Planning as a profession caused eyes to glaze over at 500 metres and total paralysis within hand shaking distance. Most people think I work for MI5, but that's another story.
So why is it then that apparently mature, sensible, thoughtful and educated human beings a) get so worked up when anything approaching development involving damaging a blade of grass is proposed and b) claim armageddon on any occasion when a Government tries to sort out a new way of doing things - which in this round of changes actually tries to put decisions into the hands of those very same people.
It appears therefore that 'plotting against planning' is now the sole topic of (im)polite conversation over the samosas' and Chardonnay. How glad am I then that I haven't been 'outed' as a professional advisor, yet. I'd never get near the bar.
I cannot escape at work so easily. I had a phone call enquiry only the other day prefaced by the words, "I hope you wont think I'm a nimby but....." which (guess what) then degenerated into a nimbyesque rant about next doors porch extension being out of character with the upmarket nature of the cul-de-sac and could I suggest ways to have it removed - or some such?
I wont regail you with the unspoken response that was on the tip of my tongue, but needless to say I rapidly came to the conclusion that I really needed to get a life!
Of course. I blame the Government. All that education, access to information and increasing moves toward giving power to the people is creating a banana* public.
*Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.As a result of this veritable hysteria the Government have now issued a short question and answer Myth Buster document that endeavours to try and lay to rest some of the more extreme interpretations of the main NPPF document. (see link below)
They might as well have circulated an email to all concerned with the inimitable words of the TV Ad, "Calm down dear, its only a draft".
The Government are simply re-stating many of the principles that have been the bedrock of Town Planning since it came into being in 1947. And making sure in the process that local people have the final say. There's a great deal wrong with that approach of course; if you fail to account for the vociferous minority who will inevitably dominate proceedings at Neighbourhood Plan meetings and the like. Inertia will rule supreme.
But before you all put fingers to keyboard in response to what you may think my position is, I could not and do not advocate unrestricted development. I was however a child of planning when the developer still had a specific right to a permission - in the absence of sound reasons why not - and it seemed to work OK - well, at least as well as at any other time, and that was well before all the development plans, national and local validation criteria and the plethora of other time consuming, expensive and often pointless requirements that accompany today's planning processes.
I advocate a return to some semblance of common sense before we all take things too far or, as my mum used to caution, there will be tears before bedtime.
We have in this country a rapidly increasing population that need housing, feeding, watering and something purposeful to do. It's no good the retiring baby-boomers sticking their elbows out and repelling all boarders any more than D Vellop & B Dambed PLC assuming they have carte blanche to chuck up a load of old tat anywhere that takes there fancy. Neither cause will be satisfied by making unreasonable assumptions about what they think is being said over what is actually proposed. A balanced and reasoned response to the draft consultation is more likely to find support than the unmitigated tosh that seems to be circulating at the present time - or am I being naive (again!).
If I know one thing, history tells us that whatever finally emerges as the new sunny uplands of modern town planning in the UK it will probably be changed again: just at the point where everyone has got their heads around it.
Plus ca change (plus c'est la meme chose).
The Myth Buster can be found here:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppfmythbuster
No comments:
Post a Comment