i did watch the program
He could have done a simple appeal (you say pointless, but if the planners had used the wrong info to make the decision (ie if it was personal) then who knows?)
if the appeal was unsuccessful, it would have been because it didnt fit in with te local plan, or was outside planning law or whatever, which isnt personal, and means the decision is sound based on current laws. Of course he wanted the top people - i wanted a top person to represent me at my planning hearing but had to make do with what icould afford