EDITORIAL
Page 4
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THE CASE in which Gateshead Council opposed the renewal and upgrading of an operator's licence highlights the hazards which operators have to negotiate to keep in business. That is the principal reason for our staging a mock traffic court case at the Fleet Management Conference on October 17.
The Gateshead objection, described by the applicant's counsel as "disgusting", would surely have put the operator out of business had it been upheld.
The Licensing Authority rightly took the view that he was not the local planning officer. The LA has a difficult enough task when hearing representations from "lower-deck lawyers" representing local residents. He should be spared the added burden of listening to transparen cases advanced by professionals.
Regrettably, the law allows — indeed almost encourages — objectors. Unless something is done to sharpen their thinking the objectors will breed like rabbits.
Court cases cost the applicant and chi court time and money. Perhaps the sharpening up process could be very effective if the objector, who failed, ha( to pay the applicant's costs. After all, ti objector has nothing to lose if he fails. The applicant's future is in jeopardy.