Planning Sanity Representation Forum

Do you need representation at an inquiry, or require a formal written presentation to your planning authority or village green registration authority then Planning Sanity may be able to help. We are first and foremost a voluntary organisation and do not as such have a structure for charging for the work that we undertake, we are though able subject to the suggested donation structure set out below to undertake a limited amount of work preparing representations to planning and village green inquiries, as well as to planning authorities. Within this scheme we are also able to act as advocates for communities and individuals at inquiries. This work is undertaken by experienced but unqualified volunteers.

We would always recommend that where ever possible you consider instructing professional planning consultants to undertake these tasks, we accept that many people and groups cannot afford the high charges of professionals, and in some respects do not have the same degree of confidence in professionals who on one day will be representing developers and on the next community groups. In regards to village green inquiries then there are fewer professionals who can offer experienced representation, although with guidance there is no reason why dedicated local activists cannot be successful, it is though the one area where we have a growing number of requests for help at inquiries.

So what can we do to help, first we can compile technical reports and representations, particularly in the area of planning policy practice and procedure for presentation to local planning authorities and to written inquiries, and for the preparation of the requisite presentations for village green inquiries. We can also provide an advocate for inquiries, we do not though provide specialist witnesses from our volunteer group, but instead where an inquiry requires an expert in any field then we would look to bring in a relevant expert, although the cost of that expert would have to be met by the community group/individual. Please keep in mind that we are unfunded other than the donations we receive from our supporters, therefore we do not have unlimited funds to help communities, which why we have to look to have minimum donations for certain aspects of our work such as when we attemd inquiries.

So what are our suggested level of donations for this work. An average inquiry will last 3 days, but could be several weeks, therefore we have to start first and fore most with expenditure, this will require all expenses to be met by the community group, including travel cost, and B&B or other accommodation whilst at the inquiry. In calculating the time span a minimum of one day should be added for preparation work, but depending on the complexities of the case this may be longer. Most inquiries start on a Tuesday, with a half day on Fridays, we would expect to arrive one day before the start of the inquiry in order to meet with witnesses for the community and to go through the procedures and the evidence to be given, therefore this day should be counted in the days of the inquiry. The suggested daily donation rate should be in the region of £100 to £200. our normal suggested donation for a tailored letter to planners is £25, there is though a considerable greater amount of work required in putting together a formal representation to a planning authority or inquiry (including village green inquiries) and therefore the suggested minimum donation for that part of any work is in the range of £200 to £500 depending on the complexities of the case. However, it would be rare for communities to be expected to pay over £1000.00 for representation at an inquiry, in any event never more than the community can seriously afford to pay.

In preparing for an inquiry we would normally look to talk through the issues, compile a statement of case, draft proofs of evidence for the various community group witnesses, review the representations of the Applicant/Developer and the local authority, and where appropriate compile draft rebuttal evidence. At the inquiry to act as the advocate for the community group, cross examine witnesses for the supporters of the proposal, and to take our witnesses through their evidence, to raise any procedural points, legal representations, make opening and closing speeches where a party has rule 6 status, or in village green inquiries where they are the applicants.

At written inquiries and representations to local planning authorities, then we would be looking to draft technical, policy, legal and other arguments on behalf of the community group, with local knowledge and heartfelt considerations being put forward by the community themselves. Thereby giving the best of both worlds.

Clearly there can never be any guarantee of success simply because representation is made by a national amenity group, or indeed that representation is put forward by a planning or other professional. Indeed there is clear evidence that many local community groups direct representations have a profound positive effect upon the planning decisions. Therefore this service is only offered in order to give the communities concerned a better representation at the inquiry from experienced in this complex area of policy and practice. However, if you want a professional then please employ a professional, as we cannot over state that the work we offer here is that of unqualified but experienced volunteers.

For information on our policy on the compiling of specialist and individual letters and representations to planning committees and inquiries, as well as legal and other info, please click HERE