Many applications I see on the planning website have no response from anyone, even when it clearly is a fire trap! But don't worry the applicant pointed out there was a fire station the other side of the road. Despite that the application was rejected.

It is the inconsistancy that I notice and on the larger projects the applicants use it to their advantage. An applicant for a block of flats pointed out there was no theme to surrounding buildings they where a mish mash of ideas and design and therefore his design that was different again was justified.

Also little things can make a difference, such as the placement and design of signs. I was in West London at the weekend where a controlled parking zone has been introduced. The council had adapted the required signs to fit in with the surroundings so they do not dominate the landscape.