Letter: We Need Better Ways of Measuring Support for Planning Proposals

Published on: 13 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 13 Nov, 2024

From Maddie Evans

In response to: CPRE Backs Parish Council’s Request for Secretary of State to ‘Call-in’ Solar Farm Decision

As a statutory consultee on planning decisions Compton Parish Council, along with all parish councils, will be aware that the responses and comments on planning applications can be extremely asymmetrical and a ratio of 100:1 of objections to support is regularly seen.

A small action group can rapidly generate many comments, often by circulating a “form letter” that will then appear multiple times. Generally the people who approve of a scheme, or are neutral, don’t leap into action on the planning portal as they are happy for the scheme to be approved.

It is therefore disingenuous for any interest group to cite these figures as indicative of the views of the wider community.

In Guildford we have widespread support for renewable energy, though we don’t have as much support for wind turbines on our Surrey Hills, preferring less obtrusive options.

This is not represented in the planning process comments, and that highlights the importance of looking for better measures for the true level of public support for this proposal.

Responses to Letter: We Need Better Ways of Measuring Support for Planning Proposals

David Roberts Reply

November 13, 2024 at 7:03 pm

In the case of “Wisley New Town” the boot was on the other foot. The “form letter”, as described by Ms Evans, was written by the developer’s PR agency, Cratus Communications (who admitted it), in support of the scheme, and signed exclusively by credulous Surrey University students – temporary and, in many cases, overseas residents of the borough. What their motivation was remains uncertain.

So the “asymmetry” of responses to planning applications cuts both ways. It is perfectly acceptable for residents to organise themselves to respond to planning applications, since their are acting purely responsively and their only power lies in a vote cast every few years.

What is unacceptable is for powerful developers, who fund political parties and throw millions at such projects, to manipulate a consultation process that is supposed to be to air the views of the public.

Any development proposal should stand or fall on the merits of the planning application and nothing else.