What UK planners are you talking about? As regards European planners, you could bring ’em over but the fact remains that uk and Irish planners work under the same type of planning system – most continentals work under the Napoleonic or Germanic systems.
for example the Dutch and French planning system – in theory, once a building meets the building regulations and is commensurate with the zoning … a building permit should be issued.
you know the differnce in Ireland and Britain – The British planning family, far more detailed planning laws and regulations, law system built upon common law and the concept of ‘precedent’, and regard been had to local planning conditions etc.
Continental planing may just be more flexible and maybe peoples attitudes to new styles etc. are different as well?