The BBC program on planning was brilliant for showing utter nuggets finding all manner of absurd justifications as to why they should be able to live somewhere but someone else absolutely, definitely shouldn't.
You get a notification if any proposed development will affect you. I had one a year or so back because Sainsbury's wanted to build a local store next to me. A few dobbers objected to the drinks licence but fortunately big business won. It ain't half handy thirty feet from my front door, and as an amenity rather than a vacant site it won't do my house price any harm either. Happy days.