Retrospective planning applications are admissions of breaking law (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Retrospective planning applications are admissions of breaking law

1:54pm Wednesday 18th April 2012 in Letters

WITH reference to the article on Blitz on plans breaches (Standard, April 12).

I wholeheartedly agree with Philippa Lowe that Ward members and hopefully members of the public report planning breaches. It is, however, frustrating that the current planning law seems unable to do anything when breaches occur. What, for example, is a retrospective planning application? It is an admission that law has been broken and now I want you to let me off.

She also says that members (and presumably the public) should trust officers to take action. That trust would come more easily if it could be seen that action IS being taken. On too many occasions this is not so.

DAVID SWAFFER Somerford Keynes