Ironically the amount of information that has to be submitted for consideration as part of a planning application is tenfold what it was 30-40 years ago. A planning application for 40 houses from 40 years ago typically consisted of little more than a covering letter and a few plans, and when the authority granted planning permission the only conditions that were imposed were that the development had to be built within 5 years and that it must be built in accordance with the approved plans.Now applicants have to submit a plethora of specialist reports, the specific detail of which most lay people, the Planning Officer at the authority, the applicant and the other members of the professional team don't fully understand, and if permission is granted its subject to a multitude of conditions requiring further information to be submitted for approval relating to the tiniest detail.Yet do we have better developments than we did 40 years ago ?.Personally, I think the planning system is ridiculously over-complicated now, which in turn makes it harder for the average person in the street to take an active/informed role in planning matters and stretches already limited local authority resources even more. What we've generally seen in the last few years is whenever the government has tried to relax planning restrictions (which hasn't been properly thought out) many local authorities have devoted lots of time, money and resources into trying to resist such relaxations.I think the system is flawed on so many levels, but equally the notion of combining planning considerations (which are primarily subjective and based on interpretation of planning policies, giving weight to other material considerations and so forth) with more legislative regulations like Building Regulations and so forth would only make for an even more flawed system (if that is possible).Just on the specific subject of the Travelodge fire of course it's completely common for any flatted development to have a bin store either under the development or adjacent to it. If a bin store was located a safe distance away from both that development and any neighbouring buildings then it is likely to be difficult to access for both residents and for refuse collectors, and/or you'd have alot of effectively 'wasted' space.Personally I don't think the planning or any other legislation can ever remove all 'risk' - ultimately it seems (and I stress the word seems) that this fire was down to either (a) some moron(s) carelessly disposing of a cigarette, or (b) some scumbag(s) deliberately starting a fire. And no matter what steps any authority anywhere in the world takes, you can't cover every eventuality because people will be people.
Adam Beamish ● 2078d