Another view on planning

Following the editor's opinion piece yesterday about the Planning Inspectorate, we are pleased to publish another opinion piece, and an alternative view, by regular Chatbox contributor Broken Spring.

The editor's 'Planning Inspectorate Rules' article

Well, quite a rant there. Let's establish some facts – although in doing so in the past I've been accused by the Editor of being 'Party Political' – which I'm not.

1. The Planning Inspectorate is an executive arm of central government, and in this case acting under Eric Pickles. They are implementing government policy. They are civil servants and have to do what the politicians tell them.

I know, I worked for central government, although the politicians like to take refuge and 'blame' them when the policies they enact become unpopular. All shades of the political spectrum do this. I was once told by a senior civil servant that their job was to 'protect' the minister.

2. The current policy is what was proposed at the general election under 'sustainable development. However, it was, I understand, broadly conceived and written by developers.

See whose coffers they pay into. 'Private Eye' makes a good read and charts the connections between politicians and vested interests – again all political shades are exposed.

Comparisons with totalitarian states is misdirected – it's more about who lobbies most effectively/ generously and thus really determine policy.

3. Our local MP, whatever he may say to us about being against these moves, is a member of the majority ruling party in the coalition.

We the voters elected him, and thus implementation of this policy. How did he vote in Parliament when the policy was enacted? How did you all round here vote at the general election?

4. The crash in 2007 – 2008 was not caused by an oversupply in housing, but an oversupply in money – with US banks proactively contacting mortgagees and sucking them into increased borrowing against appreciating assets in an era of low interest rates. This money was frittered on consumer goods.

When interest rates rose people could no longer afford the mortgages and defaulted. The film "The Flaw" is a good watch if you want to see this explained.

Current 'growth' in our economy has been deliberately driven by a housing boom – printing money through 'quantative easing' (and thus low interest rates) and free taxpayers money to support banks in 'funding for lending for housing.

Some analysts are saying we are creating another housing price boom and another crash will ensue.

5. Just about every analysis I've read indicates there is a housing shortage, much driven by demographic change. May or may not be true – but you always have to look behind who is sponsoring some of this 'research.

Cynics might say that it's all really about money – surely not?
I could go on.......

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