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Venture Governance

Planning governance analysis examines whether local authority planning decisions are supported by sufficient, decision-stage evidence and whether that evidence is properly considered and recorded.

My work focuses on identifying and documenting procedural and evidential failures, including:

  • failure to consider material planning considerations;
  • unlawful deferral of required assessments; and
  • gaps in decision-stage reasoning and recording.

I do not assess planning merits or outcomes, and I do not provide legal advice. Where appropriate, evidential findings are presented in a structured format for onward consideration by a qualified planning solicitor.

Knowledge Base

Structured reference material explaining how planning decisions are made, where procedural failures occur, and how governance principles apply.

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Planning Forum

Moderated discussion space for governance analysis and interpretation of planning decision processes. Access is structured by role and experience.

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Documentation Topics

Structured reference material covering planning governance, decision-law principles, and procedural analysis.

Foundations

(13)

Planning Law

(8)

PGAT Windows 10/11

(10)

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear scope, governance-first terminology, and how PGAT should be used.

FAQ topics

What is PGAT?

PGAT is a planning governance and decision-law analysis framework. It examines whether decision-critical issues were properly evidenced, presented, and relied upon.

What is PGAT not designed to do?

PGAT is not an objection generator, a campaigning platform, or a planning merits opinion tool. It does not coordinate engagement with public officers.

Who is PGAT intended for?

PGAT is intended for users prepared to work with governance principles, decision-making duties, and evidential thresholds, including professionals and serious community analysts.

Does PGAT oppose development?

No. PGAT is outcome-neutral. It assesses the integrity of the decision process, not whether development should or should not proceed.

What does “evidence vs decision evidence” mean?

Evidence may exist in the file without being relied upon. Decision evidence is what is summarised, presented to Members, and used to justify the outcome.

What is a decision-critical issue?

A decision-critical issue is one that must be resolved, or lawfully addressed, at the stage being determined. Unlawful deferral can expose the decision.

What is policy tokenism?

Superficial reference to policy that does not engage with operative requirements, evidential tests, or decision thresholds.

What is meant by governance risk?

Governance risk describes the likelihood that a decision fails public law standards due to inadequate reasoning, evidential handling, or procedural fairness.

What does PGAT produce?

PGAT produces structured findings on procedural integrity, decision-criticality, policy engagement quality, and indicators of decision exposure.

Does PGAT decide whether permission should be granted?

No. PGAT does not make planning judgments. It evaluates whether the decision process is properly supported and lawfully reasoned.

Why does PGAT sometimes recommend inaction?

Because restraint is part of competence. Not all issues are decision-critical, and unnecessary escalation can undermine credibility.

How does PGAT handle unreadable documents?

Where documents are image-only or stubbed, PGAT flags this as an evidential risk rather than assuming content that cannot be verified.

Why is some content restricted?

Certain material requires context and discipline to interpret correctly. Restriction helps prevent misuse and preserves analytical integrity.

Does restricted content include escalation guidance?

No. PGAT does not provide operational or coordination-based escalation instructions directed at public officers.

Is forum participation open to everyone?

Forum participation is moderated and structured by role and experience, with a focus on analytical discussion rather than live-case coordination.

What is an appropriate use of PGAT?

Using PGAT to assess whether recorded reasoning and evidential handling meet decision-law expectations and governance standards.

What is not an appropriate use?

Using PGAT to coordinate pressure, direct contact toward named individuals, or generate volume-based campaigns.

Does PGAT replace professional advice?

No. PGAT provides structured analysis, not legal or planning representation.

What document formats does PGAT support?

PGAT is designed around common planning documentation formats such as PDF reports, consultee responses, and committee papers.

Is PGAT an AI decision-maker?

No. PGAT’s findings are deterministic and evidence-led. AI is used only to render outputs into clear human-readable language.

What does a subscription include?

Access to restricted reference material, structured learning content, and PGAT analysis features aligned to your subscription tier.

Is support included?

Support covers platform access and technical issues only. PGAT does not provide individual case handling or representation.

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