[jaysay]

Originally Posted by katex

Planning Departments in councils are not large in the way of employing experts in all the different fields of planning my dear Lurch, housing, regeneration, environmental, transport,etc. It is more economical for them to use consultants on a short term basis than take on high maintenance employees (pensions, specialist equipment, working space, coffee machines.. LOL.. etc).

Look at it this way. An analogy would be when you visit your G.P. .. yes, a very experienced medical person who can give advice and diagnosis on lots of ailments, but sorting the problems out, then you have to be passed on to a consultant.

I think in the case of Hilltop, the council now has to look at more expert independent help in bringing this to a satisfactory conclusion. The developer wants this building, but also their investment has to be profitable. The council wants this land developed, and the residents also would prefer the land to be put to use instead of the derelict wasteland that is there at the moment.

Planners within the council have to deal with all types of planning on a daily basis but not always in depth on any particular aspect of it. Unfortunately, they do get bogged down quite a lot by Councillors queries !

I think your spot on there kate and your diagnosis is great too