I never assume people know what they are doing and especially those posting on forums until I get to 'know them'.So the planning dept can’t read one sentence either. As has been said never assume those in charge know what they are doing.
However whether it was right or wrong it was the system in place at the time and without a cert one didn't get the work. A bit like NICEIC itself, started out as nothing and convinced others they were the top dog and now one has to be a member (others exist) to do certain aspects of electrical work.