Combating the experts with expertise; the role of community OR in a planning inquiry

In planning situations there is normally an imbalance in resources and expertise available to developers and objectors. In particular developers will hire ‘experts’ who will utilise quantitative methods and models, which are both unavailable and incomprehensible to the average objector. This paper describes a case where, because OR expertise was available, alternative models were developed to successfully challenge expert evidence on demand, traffic and flood risk. The conclusion is that Community based OR is an essential element of a properly functioning planning system.