One word - corruption. Britain builds plenty but not on a social basis. Profit is king. To get planning permission costs money. Appeal committees must be bought. Britain is the most corrupt country not in Europe..
Local authorities refusing planning isn't corruption. And if you think Britain is corrupt I assume you have no familiarity with other countries.
It wasnt a cheque, but a pair of first class tickets to the bahamas for the planning officer and their wife, totally worth it thought.
Its not even an open secret, its a known fact. https://www.theplanner.co.uk/2020/08/03/local-authorities-ar...
Unfortunately many councils (including my own) are now run by an executive consisting of officials. People have known for decades that the planning committee is crooked; but I guess that's what you get in a university town where the uni owns most of the best land in the town, is the largest employer, and even used to have it's own parliamentary seat.
Of course council officials want to be in the room ... They want a piece of the action.
The planning officers were kicking back only a small portion of the bribes to the councilors and pocketing the bulk for themselves.
Why would what happens in any other country change whether Britain is (and it demonstrably is) corrupt?
I am very familiar with other countries. Britain is up there with the worst. Why do you think nothing works? By chance? Incompetence?