Congratulations on setting up Civic Voice.
When plans are approved against the wishes of local communities in the UK, unlike in almost every other western democracy, there is no third party right of appeal. Incredibly in 2010 it is about the only existing UK legal process that is totally unbalanced and is long overdue for reform. Developers and all other applicants have the full right to appeal but it does not even exist for the longstanding neighbour next door.
The right of appeal for third parties was actually in the Labour Party manifesto in 1997, after discussion at the preceding conference, but dropped immediately after Labour was elected. Civic Voice presents a great opportunity for a national campaign to introduce fairness, and consequently more honesty, into the UK planning process and ensure an even playing field for all involved. Planning committee members are only human and will always if even subconsciously decide in favour of the applicants side because they can appeal whereas if objectors also have the right of appeal the balance and fairness will be restored. Civic Societies everywhere need this tool to ensure that all their hard work in protecting their area is of equal status to that of the Developers, given a fair chance in committee and see that some planning decisions tested externally.
A third party right of appeal is an essential instrument for a lot of what we do and a fundamental way in which our “Civic Voice†can be heard and equally respected.