Mr. Ian Talbot:

Ultimately, the original ruling was overturned but it took time to get through the court process. There were constitutional issues concerning limiting who could object. That was a challenge as well. We accept that it is very difficult, but we have some recommendations on how the Land Development Agency, for example, might be given more powers to compulsorily acquire land. This would deal with specific challenges we face in respect of vacant sites. Unfortunately, it seems that there is no quick or easy solution. It is clear that planning is a bit like Brexit, in that if the ideal solution was there, somebody would have thought of it by now. It is a big worry for business given the amount of time, effort and energy that is invested in the planning process, the risk one is taking and the money one is spending, and the weariness of people who have an idea and who want to get on with it.