The following notes give the perception of chief and senior planning officers, and of consultants who work closely in support of them, gained from the experiences of those officers who are members of the Society’s Management Committee and particularly the POS South East Region. It also takes into account work undertaken by consultants who work closely with the Society and with local authorities e.g. carrying out diagnostic evaluations of both the development management service (particularly major applications) and of the Local Development Framework process; undertaking training with both members and officers; and providing a role as critical friend.