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Livid Locals - as Bolton banish public representations from view

31/3/2014

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Objectors are livid - accusing Bolton Council of “stifling democracy” after the local planning department decided to stop publishing public objections on their planning applications website.

As with most local authorities, public representations (of both supporters and objectors) were previously published alongside statutory consultation responses and the applicants own details.

However Bolton Council have taken the decision to remove the facility 'to help austerity measures' in an aim to cut more than £2 million worth of expenditure from its bottom line.

A Council spokesman was quoted in saying:
“We would like to reassure the public that this does not affect the consultation process and people can still make comments on planning applications, which are considered accordingly."
“We are now looking to provide information by responding to specific requests to view third party representations."
“Through-out the course of the application we will still be publishing all statutory and technical consultee responses and further information provided by the applicant, so people have as much information as possible to decide if they want to make any comments on the proposal.
The council said the move was taken to save time and cut down on admin costs — and emphasised the fact that representations are still included in planning committee members’ bundles and all representations are still available to see at the local Town Hall.

We would argue that requesting, copying and accessing letters through the new system is far more time-consuming than ever (which will inevitably come at a cost to the council) and that other potential objectors are now less aware that an application has been met with local opposition.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who served on Bolton Council’s planning committee for 17 years, said the council was “salami-slicing” the planning process.

What is clearly evident is that under this regime, local people will no longer be able to consider the views of other residents in their application.  This is good in some respects, but it does not allow a less able people to get to grips with the full process - or those matters observed by others that may affect them...

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About this site

This website and associated online services are provided by The Planning Objection Company Ltd (trading as iObject.co.uk).  The business was founded in 2012 to provide a dedicated planning objection advice and consultancy service - specifically helping those people wishing to oppose planning proposals.

Planning applications submitted throughout the UK are able to be challenged by members of the public for a wide variety of reasons.  However, how this is best achieved is generally unclear and can be extremely daunting to the uninitiated.  We are planning consultants who specialise in helping people to get their views heard during the planning application phase of building and development projects.  We currently cover the English and Welsh planning systems - which are governed by the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (As amended) and by various National Planning Policy Guidance, along with statute and related policies.  Local plans and planning authorities also have their own individual planning policies that add additional layers of complexity to the objection and representation process. 

​We are here to make the objection process simple, concise and straightforward - enabling our customers to build the best possible case for halting inappropriate development.

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About us

​Our team comprises private practice Professional Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Professional Members of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), planning officers and independent planning specialists.  

The company is proud to offer professional, ethical and bespoke, situation-appropriate advice.  We are managed in accordance within the strict codes of professional conduct set out by both RICS and RTPI.    
  
We operate from offices around England and deal with a wide variety of planning matters on a daily basis.  We understand the planning system, know many of the planners involved and the appropriate way to enable our customers to make a professional objection to a planning application. 

We insist on giving impartial, honest advice as part of providing our services and operate a strict system of client confidentiality and conflict avoidance. Our customers receive professional advice that is tailored to the planning application they want to object to.

The Legal Bit

The Planning Objection Company Ltd. (trading as iObject.co.uk)
Registered in England No. 09011392
Registered Address: The Old Workshop, Churchinford, Taunton, TA3 7RR
© 2012 - 2017 All Rights Reserved

iObject is a Trademark of the Planning Objection Company Ltd
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • We're recruiting!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
    • Terms of service
  • Our services...
    • E-BOOK - How to object to planning applications - A Guide
    • The FREE planning objection cheat sheet - basic advice and tips for your planning objection
    • The FREE planning objection cheat sheet Permitted Development Edition
    • Professional Planning Objection Services - Start here!
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Pointers...
    • What are valid reasons for objecting to a planning application?
    • How long do I have to object against a planning application
    • What are legitimate objections to a planning application?
    • Can a tenant object to a planning application?
    • How many objections are needed to stop a planning application?
    • Sample letter of objection to a planning application