1,000 signatures reached
To: The Mayor, cabinet members and councillors
Loss of confidence in Bristol's planning system
We, the undersigned, have lost confidence in the effectiveness and impartiality of Bristol City Council’s planning system and seek a Full Council debate on this matter.
Why is this important?
Our concern is that the Bristol City Council is currently failing to deliver an effective, impartial service; lacks consistency in the application of material planning considerations and policies, and; is being unduly influenced to ‘get stuff done’ by the elected Mayor’s Office.
We are aware that, while a petition on an individual planning application cannot be taken for debate at Full Council, a petition about the Council’s failure to deliver an effective service for planning applications is within the scope of the scheme.
There are examples across the city in which the following material planning considerations are given inadequate weight or where there is inconsistency in their application: loss of light, overshadowing, overlooking, privacy; design and appearance; residential amenity and living conditions; character of the local area; local planning policies; loss of trees and landscaping; impact on listed buildings and conservation areas.
We urge the Mayor, cabinet members, and councillors of all parties to consider the harm done when residents no longer have confidence in the impartiality of officers and members of planning committees, and when decisions are made that will cause long-term, if not irreparable, harm to Bristol’s neighbourhoods and city centre.
