I would rather give no stars, but that's not an option. I've been waiting since December 2023 for what should have been a straightforward application. I had to appeal to the government body because the council didn’t even present a valid case against my application. They have wasted everyone's time and resources pursuing a personal vendetta against me, using taxpayer money. At no point did they try to engage in a dialogue with me. The planning system used to function smoothly 20 years ago, allowing for discussions with a planning officer, but now they mostly work from home, which doesn't help. This council reeks of corruption; if you're favored, your application gets prioritized, otherwise you wait indefinitely. I've seen council-owned properties validated the next day and approved in just a few weeks. With 44 officers on staff, there's no reason for these delays. I'm currently pursuing a cost award for unreasonable behavior, as noted by the government planning inspector. I urge others to file complaints and share their experiences about this underperforming planning authority. The government claims it wants to build more houses and simplify planning processes—what a joke! I suggest these planners be required to work in the office five days a week for eight hours a day to actually get things done, rather than relaxing or watching daytime TV, all at the taxpayer's expense.
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Cheshire West and Chester Council is the local authority of Cheshire West and Chester.
