BBC documentary series: The Planners
(Cyburbia Forums original post)
From Cyburbian HarryFossettsHat: Glamour comes to planning!
BBC One has commissioned The Planners, a fiery, funny and touching new fly-on-the-wall documentary series that will give viewers a unique glimpse inside some of Britain's local planning authorities from Scottish independent IWC Media.
IWC Media, part of the RDF Media Group, have gained full access to a number of council planning departments, including those of Barnet and Barking & Dagenham Councils.
Each of the eight 30-minute early evening shows, commissioned by Richard Klein, BBC Commissioning Editor for Documentaries, will follow the trials and tribulations of the councils' officers in planning, building control and planning enforcement.
Every day brings new challenges from cheeky extension plans which would deprive a neighbour of their natural light which the planning officers have to make a decision on, to the illegally-built granny annexe at the end of someone's garden which the planning enforcement officers are going to have demolished.
Nothing evokes more emotion than when the environment in which you live is threatened with change, and the planning office staff appear as heroes or villains in equal measure.
From mobile phone masts to residential developments of over 60 flats, from the vexed question of satellite dishes to the thorny issue of garden sheds, each programme will feature a range of stories which will be resolved in each episode.
Emma Willis, Executive Producer for the BBC, said: "With so many people improving their homes it's a great time to lay bare the ups and downs of domestic planning in Britain.
"It's full of character and, of course, conflict – just what we're looking for in pre-watershed documentaries on BBC One."
Hamish Barbour, Creative Director, IWC Media, said: "We're very excited to be making this series for BBC One. Access has taken a hugely long time, but so far it's proving well worth the effort.
"You just wouldn't believe what some people try and get away with. It's funny, moving and very, very passionate."
The Planners will be executive produced by Jane Merkin and series produced by Nic Blower for IWC Media.
A documentary about planners is a step in the right direction. I'll watch it as soon as it's available on video. But doesn't part of you wish the BBC would produce a sitcom about planners instead?:-)
My god, over 60 flats!! Who could deal with such a huge project???
Try regulating the development in a densly built urban cityor built-out suburb, and you'll see how difficult it can be.
Fat Cat
I like this, I hope that it is made available to people in the United States.
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:r:;):-D
It could rival "The Office" if its like my workplace.
You Brits get all the good TV - like Long Way Round (and the new Long Way Down) with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman!
I'd take this over American Idol Survivor Talentless Reality TV any day... ;)
Oh yeah, you also have the Australian soaps. Well, I could do without those...
To all those enquiring as to whether the series might be aired over the pond, I am willing to try and record the programme on DVD and post it over to those who want it! If we overlook the minor infringements on copyright... ;-)
Failing that, get in touch with the BBC direct!
If it airs on BBC America, TLC or another cable network, that would be great! Over on this end, we can probably convert it from PAL to one of the various multimedia formats out there.
This could be my professional epitaph:
:(:)
Isn't this what Bittorrent is for?
Oh god... i'm half dreading this as I think it will be used against me in pub situations by 'freinds'...
There was actually a sit com about planning made by channel 4 a few years back. it wasn't very succesful or funny.
I have to agree with one or two of the post above, in tha vain attempt to talk it 'up' they end up making it sound a bit dull... or is that the point?
Hmm, will it be a 'look how great these guys are' fly on the wall like Airport, or will it be a 'look how surreal, banal and funny in a dark way this place is' like they did with the Armstrongs (remember the crazy double glazing sales company)?
Can't wait though.
Nice post Harry me 'ol mucker.
IT'S TIME
Well, like all good planning endeavours it took longer than anyone expected (statutory consultations no doubt), but "The Planners" from the BBC is coming! The first of the 8 (EIGHT!) part series airs Thurs 11 Sept at 8PM.
Not sure if it's available to US servers, but it should be available on line at BBCs iplayer after the 11th for a week.
Goodness... four weeks of Kevin McClouds Big Town Plan on C4 and now this! One would almost think Planning is sexy!
From the Radiotimes:
[INDENT]The Planners Are Coming Thursday 11 September
8:00pm - 8:30pm
BBC1
New series looking at building planning processes. A disabled pensioner is shocked to discover that she has no legal right to stop the car garage behind her East London flat building and blocking her view. With the help of her son she fights to save her garden oasis. In North London the Planning Enforcement Team is called to a block of flats that has been built without permission, but the developers won't give up their new investment without a fight.[/INDENT]
and from the Planning Portal
[INDENT]Planners set for prime TV slot
Planners – and the planning system – are poised to feature on prime-time television starting next week when viewers will be able to tune into a unique fly-on-the-wall documentary series on BBC One featuring the work of a number of planning departments.
The first programme (of eight) is due to be screened next Thursday (11 September) in the prime 8pm slot immediately after top soap EastEnders.
The series, The Planners Are Coming, will "follow the trials and tribulations of the local authority officers involved in enforcement, development and building control" according to the pre-publicity from the programme makers, IWC Media.
The programmes will feature disputes over satellite dishes, mobile phone masts, illegally-built houses, sheds and granny annexes. The issues will be resolved in each episode.
Hamish Barbour, creative director at IWC Media said: "Access has taken a hugely long time. But so far it’s proving well worth the effort."
He added: "You just wouldn’t believe what some people try and get away with. It’s funny, moving and very, very passionate."
Emma Willis, executive producer for the BBC, said: “With so many people improving their homes it’s a great time to lay bare the ups and downs of domestic planning in Britain.
"It’s full of character and, of course, conflict – just what we’re looking for in pre-watershed documentaries on BBC One."
The first episode will highlight issues handled by planners at Barnet and Barking and Dagenham Councils.[/INDENT]
Wonder if this available eventually on BBC America. Sounds interesting, wonder how the ratings will be.
Cool. Can one view these types of shows through the internets (BBC website) after they have aired? Like one can with Us network shows.
I want to check this out. Sounds great.