I wholeheartedly support the views of both Gill Saxon and Mr & Mrs Lillywhite who separately, wrote in to the Maidenhead Advertiser's Viewpoint page dated the 28th May 2015.

I have written a letter to the Maidenhead Advertiser this week, in support of HHS's planning issues - berating Wokingham Borough Council's intransigent stance - and hoping that common sense will prevail, to find a workable solution for all parties with compromise on all sides. Hopefully my letter will be published in next week's edition - but I will copy Rob Scott at HHS.

My late father, Michael H H Bayley - who lived and worked in Maidenhead for over 60 years as a chartered architect, started work as 'Architect' for the 'Borough Engineer' at 'Maidenhead Borough Council' - he worked on the design and building of the Larchfield housing estate.

My father then went into private practice, specialising in listed buildings conservation, civic and residential works. His designs were featured at 'The Ideal Home Exhibition' in the 1960s.

And he was the co-founding member of the 'Maidenhead Civic Society' - who regularly met to discuss local planning applications in the town centre and surrounding areas - and to give professional advice to 'Maidenhead Borough Council' on planning issues, related to the design and construction of buildings and on landscape architecture too (design of the outside space surrounding buildings).

However - I have a copy of a letter that my father, Michael H H Bayley, wrote to the 'Maidenhead Advertiser' dated the 4th May 2013 - complaining that Maidenhead Borough Council's Planning Department no longer employed professionally qualified, chartered architects: (ARIBA/FRIBA) or chartered surveyors (ARICS/FRICS).

And that most of the Planning Officers who made decisions on planning applications - are merely 'pen-pushers' and admin staff with a 'jobs-worth attitude' who are not professionally or technically qualified in planning law, town planning, construction or architecture.

Even those Planning Officers who are members of the 'Royal Society of Town Planning' - they do not have to take professional exams to qualify, like chartered surveyors or chartered architects. All they need is 2-3 years work experience with a Local Authority to become eligible for membership!

No professional competence is required in building design, construction or planning law!

Thus making a mockery of the whole process - and leading to 'subjective' decision-making rather than 'objective' decisions based on fact and professional experience.

I am sure that HHS has been saddled with inconsistent instructions and requests for information from the Planning Department - which I believe, is a tactic to confuse planning applicants like HHS.

But this just shows that the Planning Officers do not understand how small and medium businesses (SMEs) operate in a competitive market environment. And that they should look at HHS's retail competitors like Wyvale, other local garden centres and the Country Store - who all have diversified their product and services range, like HHS - in response to meeting market demand: providing services that their customers want and need!

Both corporate and commercial businesses regularly negotiate on their differences ... to find a practical, 'win-win' solution that benefits all parties - so why can't Wokingham Borough Council and it's Planning Officers - wake up to the 21st century - compromise where necessary and do business professionally and transparently?

HHS offers value to the local community by the large range of products and services it offers its customers - of all ages and interests. And provides work for its staff and suppliers.

It has become a 'community hub' - with a 'book exchange' area near the cafe - 'a local events notice board' and its monthly 'arts/family entertainment events' that often support local charities.

The staff always smile and are friendly and helpful - 'old fashioned' touches that cost nothing - but add to the overall service and welcome that one gets at HHS..

Come on ... Wokingham Borough Council Planning Officers! Let's have a PUBLIC MEETING to discuss the issues and how to resolve them!

Ms Annabel Bayley
www.happy-homescleaning.co.uk
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#653: -  

 thank you for such interesting information.