The Scotsman

Be consistent

-

Susan Hamilton says a council committee which opposed a housing proposal despite staff recommendi­ng consent should not have been advised that refusal might lead to a costly appeal .

Councillor­s must decide on the basis of official plans, the role of which is to give a fair measure of certainty as to what will happen if future. If they don’t comply with these, public confidence in them will be weakened and applicants may see no reason to follow them either.

Decisions should not depend on the personal views of those on the committee at a particular meeting. if do there will be no consistenc­y, It is likely that in this the proposal conformed to official policies

Without a right of appeal councils would be free to do as they liked . Appeals are only upheld where a refusal contravene­s official policies.

Ms. hamilton wants a right of appeal against approvals by “communitie­s“Just how does one decide who and what constituen­ts such ? In most areas there are diverse opinions. Rarely do groups making comments on proposals represent a majority.

MALCOLM BURLEY

West Graham Street, Glasgow

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom