Appeals

Applicants can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate if they feel they have reason to disagree with the Council’s decision about their planning application.

During 2010 to 2011 56 appeals were submitted and in 37 of these (66 per cent) the Planning Inspector agreed with the Council, either wholly or in part. Our target, set by our Business Plan is 75 per cent of appeals to be won (in whole or in part against refusal of planning permission).

One of the recurring messages from inspectors in overturning appeals was that in some cases planning conditions could be used to make developments acceptable, rather than refusing the planning application. Also in some decisions inspectors took a more flexible approach than officers to guidance in the Development Guidelines SPD.

Other significant decisions were:

• A development refused partly due to its high density was considered acceptable as the Core Strategy Area Vision showed mixed development which would result in a change in character of the area including an expected rise in density.
• Inadequate parking provision does not need to prevent residential development where it can be reasoned that the occupants (particularly students) are unlikely to be car users and the site is well-placed to encourage other modes of travel.
• Certain deficiencies of sites for use by Gypsies and Travellers should be overcome in the absence of alternative site provisions.
• A house in multiple occupation was considered acceptable as a small increase in the number of residents at the property would not have a significant affect on adjoining occupiers when considered in the context of the existing character of the area.
• Small amenity areas can be considered acceptable where there is a close proximity to large public open spaces.

This page of the annual monitoring report was last updated December 2011.