article_snippet: A spokesman for MPP said: 'The time taken by the Environment Agency to reach the Environment Agency conclusions has drawn out the entire process way beyond our initial estimates, something totally beyond our control. '
article_snippet: But we appreciate the pressure this has placed on the planning authorities and the lengthy period of uncertainty for local residents, both of which we feel could have been avoided. '
article_snippet: we believe that there should be a fundamental overhaul of the planning and permit application process to prevent such a long-winded situation from occurring again.'