As a long term resident in the Highlands as well as an
Independent
candidate for Ward
6, I am well aware of the difficulties surrounding planning applications
in our area and wholly endorse
the idea of more locally
determined results.
We live in a large and diverse
region where conditions applicable to any one
submission would be different
from place to place. A recent
application in Ullapool was granted despite a large body of evidence that there was no community
support for the project site,
although the project itself was endorsed by nearly everybody. It is self evident that where legislation is
applicable there is not a lot
of room to move, but
surely planning law is there
to protect not just the applicant but also the surrounding community and as
such there should be total
transparency in all aspects of a planning application and where
there are objections they
should be made public.
Planning law can be very specific and sometimes can appear unjust, in which
case there should
be some way of applying an appropriate remedy. It would
be a step in the right
direction if the right of appeal against a decision, extended
to opponents of any such
decision as well as to the
applicant. The individual or body making a planning
application can appeal against
an adverse decision, but this
right is not available to the
other parties
involved.
It is also a matter of concern that much of
the decision making has been
devolved by committee to the planning officer concerned and whilst I can
appreciate this makes life
easier for some it can give rise to the accusation that an individual officer is guided by a personal
opinion rather than the law
and policy as determined by the council itself.
If elected I will take an
active interest in local
planning throughout Ward 6 and hope that all constituents will keep me informed of their
concerns.
Richard
Mitchell
Independent Candidate for
Ward 6
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