"I'm not arguing for looser planning, but better."
One problem is that Planning has a complex legal framework which doesn't necessarily control 'obvious' things - like what buildings will look like.
U.K. and Scottish Governments generally (and increasingly) favour/facilitate development more than it encourages/enables objecting.
Obviously national governments (and councils) want more houses and jobs etc and there will always be people/communities that are not keen on many proposed developments - for many reasons.
Councils also know that developers can appeal when decisions go against them - which can be expensive - so it's perhaps surprising that so many planning applications get refused.
In some cases it must be because developers are trying hard to get away with as large a development as possible, and start with something they don't actually expect to be approved.
Which clearly adds to pressure on planning staff.