Making sense of the various permitted development rights for change of use under Part 3, Schedule 2 of the GPDO is a long way from easy. In particular, many have drawn the conclusion that a local planning authority which fails to determine a prior approval application within the requisite period has granted permission by default. Not so, as we highlighted in No worries.
Monthly Archives: July 2019
One giant leap
As we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing it appears that planning has made one giant leap backwards. Get this: in Hertfordshire an appeal has been allowed and approval granted for change of use from light industrial to windowless flats under the provisions of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class PA of the GPDO (DCS Number 400-022-545).
The hands of time
If William Morris were still here he might be interested to know that, whilst many of his ideas were considered revolutionary in his lifetime, some have since been absorbed into mainstream planning policy. In particular, he did not share his fellow Victorians’ enthusiasm for turning back the hands of time in relation to the preservation of ancient buildings, and an appeal decision against the refusal of listed building consent for internal alterations to a thatched cottage in Wiltshire (DCS Number 400-022-320) is in line with his philosophy.
Celebrity gossip
Readers who move in certain circles might already be aware that, after his problems with a proposed private chapel on his Suffolk estate, Ed Sheeran does at least now have his wildlife pond sorted out.
Truncated
An inspector has authorised shorter visibility splays than deemed necessary by the council at the access to six dwellings in Suffolk, finding no particular justification for insisting on visibility splays suitable for a trunk road (DCS Number 400-022-073).
News from PlanningResource
- How new Covid-19 application publicity rules may raise fresh risks for councils June 4, 2020New temporary rules allow councils to publicise applications using social media and other electronic communications during the pandemic, but using such digital methods does raise some risks, commentators warn.
- Why the secretary of state's admission of 'apparent bias' over his approval of a 1,500-home scheme has prompted calls for an overhaul of ministerial decision-making June 4, 2020An admission of "apparent bias" by the housing secretary in his consent for a 1,500-home scheme in east London is unprecedented and "shocking", according to legal experts, who warn that it could undermine faith in ministerial decision-making and should prompt far-reaching changes around the process.
- 10 key things that happened this week June 4, 2020Ten of the biggest stories from the past week, including news that the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has announced it is planning to hold "at least" 35 virtual hearings, inquiries and examinations in June as it "scales up" its capacity to process more cases.
- Neighbourhood Watch: Jenrick refuses Surrey housing scheme due to neighbourhood plan clash June 4, 2020Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has cited paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - which defines the circumstances in which conflict with a neighbourhood plan is likely to "significantly and demonstrably" outweigh the benefits of a scheme - to refuse consent for a housing scheme in Surrey.
- Police 'assessing allegation' in relation to Jenrick's 'unlawful' Docklands consent June 4, 2020The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it is assessing an "allegation" made in relation to the housing secretary's recently-overturned consent for a 1,500-home scheme in London's Docklands.
- Housing secretary refuses plans for ‘oppressive’ 800-home Woolwich scheme June 4, 2020Plans for an 800-home development in south east London featuring a 27-storey tower have been refused on appeal after the secretary of state judged that the scheme would "loom oppressively" over its surroundings and was "visually jarring”.
- Jenrick blocks 771-home Greenwich development on design grounds June 4, 2020The housing secretary has refused plans for a 771-home scheme in south east London that would provide 40 per cent affordable housing after concluding that the proposal fails "to take the opportunity to promote a high quality of design".
- Jenrick approves 1,210-home Devon urban extension despite heritage harm June 4, 2020Plans for a 1,210 home urban extension to the south of Newton Abbott in Devon have been approved by the housing secretary on appeal after he concluded that the scheme's benefits outweighed the likely harm to a nearby Grade-I listed church.
- Frankie & Benny's owner 'to close between 100 and 120 outlets' June 4, 2020A report that the owner of casual dining chain Frankie & Benny's "is understood to have called time on between 100 and 120" of its UK restaurants features in today's media round-up.
- Sharma blocks Thames Estuary wind farm extension over shipping risks June 3, 2020Business secretary Alok Sharma has refused consent for plans to extend a wind farm in the Thames Estuary due to concerns that it would interfere with shipping.