The3 short answer is yes, a change in the law nationally is needed (and the right change in the law) but in practice Local Councils have the discretion to use their common sense. Some appear to have very little common sense indeed. Weymouth is by no means the only one like that, unfortunately.

For the long answer, take a week off and read through those threads I gave links to.

It would be helpfl if people could log up here on the Mudcat instances where local councils are particularly obtuse and unhelpful about this.