Indeed. It works like this: Planning is submitted and refused. Planning then goes to appeal. The appeal happens in another city with another committee. Members

Indeed. It works like this: Planning is submitted and refused. Planning then goes to appeal. The appeal happens in another city with another committee. Members on that committee are paid to make the 'correct' decision and planning is granted. That is how city councils work. Nothing happens without someone being paid. From top to bottom. If you have the right connections and are happy to pay the job gets done. I am very familiar with other countries. Britain is up there with the worst. Why do you think nothing works? By chance? Incompetence?