Professional Architects in Loughborough

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. This morning's news about reforming the Planning system has floored me. Another example of people who don't know what they're talking about interfering in everyone's lives without considering the consequences. Usually the first question any client asks me is 'will I get Planning Permission?' To which I can give a guarded answer based on my knowledge of the Planning Policies in place and the probability of the proposal complying with them. Bear in mind that the client may then proceed to instruct me to do the work and if I am wrong he/she will still have to pay for my work and the application fees. Now throw a public vote into the process. I would assume the policies will still apply but how many of us knows what they are with regard to our neighbours' plans for an extension? It already takes months to get a decision on an application and if every neighbourhood grudge and vendetta is to be considered alongside the existing guidelines the process will take considerably longer. There are rules in place to determine whether an application is acceptable but there is already an element of subjective decision making by the Planning Officer who picks up the job and if the world and his wife are able to argue their own agenda outside of the guidelines then prospective clients will have to accept that I cannot give informed advice in answer to their initial question.