Is there a North-South divide?

[Hugh]

I'd like to see training in why environmental issues are important, with a focus on archaeology as one of the more neglected environmental aspects of developments. As far as I know they are only trained in the legal issues of archaeology, rather than why we study archaeology, and why it is important to modern society.

Where?

[drpeterwardle]

Troll asked "Can someone tell me who polices planning authorities?"

It is not the planning inspectorate that polices LPA but government and the electorate at both the national and local level.

[Cautionary Tale]

Sorry to Dr Pete and Troll for misinformation, misread a previous post.[:I]

(I really have worked in the field)

[eggbasket]

quote:Originally posted by drpeterwardle

Troll asked "Can someone tell me who polices planning authorities?"

It is not the planning inspectorate that polices LPA but government and the electorate at both the national and local level.

So, how precisely do the electorate police the LPAs? In my experience the planners just ride roughshod over the concerns of local citizens, if it suits their purpose.

Cheers,
Eggbasket
Gentleman Adventurer and Antiquarian

Manners maketh the man

[monitor lizard]

Eggy,

LPAs have a Planning Committee or similarly named group, who ultimately vote on whether or not to accept the planning officers recommendations, which is made of elected members.

A recent example would be the refusal of the planning application for Stonehenge:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/serve...ebDoc.5437

It can go both ways.

Cheers,

ML

[eggbasket]

ML,

I realise that the Planning Committee votes on the issues. However, the mem-sahib and I have stood in front of these committees on a number of occasions and stated our cases to no great effect. My point really is that elected members, once in office, have no real accountability to their electorate until the next election, by which time it is probably too late, although there are some in our local council who wince whenever the see us. I recognise that it can go both ways, but from experience I believe that more often than not little or no account is really taken of the views of the people who are most likely to be affected.

Cheers,
Eggbasket
Gentleman Adventurer and Antiquarian

Manners maketh the man

[monitor lizard]

Ah.......sorry if I misunderstood.[:I]

Dunno mate.....political activism...at least some of them are wincing!

good luck

ML

[eggbasket]

Oh yes, they definitely wince. One of the councillors in particular always looks pained whenever he encounters us! Of course, some of them are just so up their own backsides that they are virtually impervious.

Cheers,
Eggbasket
Gentleman Adventurer and Antiquarian

Manners maketh the man

[troll]

Eggy-would`nt like to be on the receivin end either! Is it true that members of the public can stand up and give a 5 min view during planning hearings?

[Curator Kid]

If you're interested in the planning system and finding out some of the things you can and can't do, the easiest place to start is http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/ . For the appeals process, try http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk .