Here’s an interesting remark from an inspector who was determining an appeal against an enforcement notice requiring the removal of a timber play structure from the garden of a house in Lincolnshire (DCS Number 400-027-704).
Monthly Archives: September 2020
Cut us some slack
Given the current global pandemic, an inspector found it appropriate to cut some slack for a local planning authority, refusing to award costs against it for failing to determine a change of use planning application within the requisite period (DCS Number 400-027-724).
Punishing
The quality of planning applications can range from commendable to criminal but there is really never any need for this:
“In response to the Council’s punitive refusal reasons…”
(DCS Number 400-027-567).
A duty of care
Readers might share our disquietude at the following paragraph, taken from an appeal decision relating to the refusal of planning permission for a 60-bedroom care home in Cheshire (DCS Number 400-027-262).
Travelling light
Planning permission has been granted at appeal (DCS Number 400-027-526) for the change of use of a first floor tattoo studio in Norwich to temporary visitor accommodation despite concerns about the small size of the property.
Must buy some stamps
A sculpture of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s head profile made from crystals and set within a glass panel measuring 5.6 metres tall by 3 metres wide has been refused a second temporary permission.
A brown study
We all know that a sitting room is a habitable room and that a bathroom is not a habitable room. But what about a study? According to one inspector, determining an appeal in north London (DCS Number 200-009-576), a study in a neighbouring property could not be assessed as a habitable room:
News from PlanningResource
- Plans submitted for 1,600-home east London development November 26, 2021Plans have been submitted for a 1,600-home scheme, part of the continued redevelopment of Aberfeldy Village in Poplar, east London.
- Annual housing supply plunged in 2020/21 to lowest level in five years November 26, 2021The number of new homes created in England in 2020/21 plunged by 11 per cent compared to the previous year - the first drop in eight years, figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) show.
- PM's Irish Sea bridge plan 'scrapped over £335bn cost’ November 26, 2021A report that prime minister Boris Johnson’s dream of a bridge connecting Scotland and Northern Ireland has been dashed after being deemed too expensive leads our roundup of today's news.
- Developer fails to persuade High Court to extend development consent for major infrastructure project November 26, 2021The High Court has rejected a developer's attempt to prevent its consent for a major infrastructure project lapsing after five years, dismissing its argument that some preparatory works carried out after permission was granted meant that development had begun.
- Judge urges council to 'constructively' engage with landowners to resolve planning dispute over unlawful works November 26, 2021A High Court judge has criticised a council for a lack of "constructive" engagement with a couple who carried out unlawful building works in a woodland plot they own.
- Ten key things that happened in the past week November 25, 2021Ten of the biggest news stories from the past week, including news that a junior housing minister has overturned the former secretary of state Robert Jenrick’s controversial approval of the 1,500-home Westferry Printworks scheme .
- Why ministerial refusal of Tory donor's 1,524 homes indicates heightened importance of design and heritage in decision-making November 25, 2021A minister has refused plans for a 1,500-home scheme that was controversially approved by the previous housing secretary before that decision was quashed in the courts. Commentators said the latest refusal indicates the increasing weight given to design and heritage impacts in decision-making as well as potential ministerial caution following government scandals and controversy.
- Neighbourhood Watch: Council left with deciding vote after split decision on east London plan November 25, 2021Tower Hamlets Council will have to decide on whether to approve the Spitalfields neighbourhood plan after two referendums failed to achieve a consensus.
- The significance of the secretary of state’s rejection of the ‘Tulip’ skyscraper November 25, 2021A ministerial refusal of plans for a striking City of London tower reflects tougher national policies on design and the new importance of sustainability, say practitioners, as well as new tall building restrictions introduced by the London mayor.
- ‘M&S faces backlash for plans to rebuild Oxford Street store’ November 25, 2021News that retailer Marks and Spencer is facing a backlash for choosing to demolish and rebuild its Oxford Street store in contradiction of its own sustainability values, leads our roundup of today's news.