Dr. Conor Norton:

I wish I had the answer to that. It is a complex issue. One point about the planning system is that it is inter-related. The processes of plan-making, policies at national level, appeals, decision-making and delivery are closely related to each other. I do not think anyone can simplistically take one aspect of the planning system and see it as solving a particular issue. The roots of some of the problems in development management lie perhaps in the nature or robustness of the plan that sits behind it. I do not believe that there is any one aspect of the planning system that operates in isolation. Most people are familiar with permissions. That is a real part of the planning process but many of the problems in the process go back to the plan-making process. Perhaps the plans are not prescriptive or flexible enough. Perhaps they could be out of date. There are many areas affecting the delivery or ultimate outcomes. There is no one thing. That is why I am suggesting that we may need to take a more holistic view of the planning system.