Issue - meetings

Summary of all Planning Appeal Decisions and Current Appeals.

The Committee received and noted a report provided a summary of all planning appeal decisions and current appeals.

The following matters were discussed:

a)             Appeal inspectors. A Member of the Committee queried if appeals are normally dealt with by different inspectors which could explain the varied decisions. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement explained that generally it is different inspectors. He stated that the Council will reference other appeals and decisions to the inspectorate.

b)             Costs. The Vice Chair asked if further detail could be added regarding whether costs were awarded following appeals. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement noted the comment and agreed to add further detail.  The Chair asked if the Council routinely ask for costs or only on unreasonable appeals. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement explained that the cost were requested on this occasion as an identical appeal was lodged six months after a previous appeal.

c)             Hearing. A Member of the Committee asked if officers have to defend a Committee decision when the Committee overturned the Officer’s recommendation. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement explained that consultants have been brought in to put forward a case on behalf of Members and clarified that officers are supporting in an administrative role.  The Member asked if they could attend the hearing. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement informed the Committee that Members could attend and should email Planning Support to let them know. The Member asked if any Councillors who refused the application would be attending the hearing to defend their decision and how much roughly could the appeal cost the Council. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement explained that they do not have the list of attendees for the inquiry so they cannot state if Members involved in the decision would be present. He continued to explain that roughly the appeal inquiry could cost the council £40-45k. He also explained that the appeal application is for full costs and could be easily six figures.  The Chair stated that at present he was not aware of any Members being specifically invited to attend but expressed that he was sure Councillors will be involved and in attendance.

d)             SGN site. A Member of the Committee stated that it is their understanding that the SGN site has lost its 10% affordable housing allocation. The Head of Development Management and Planning Enforcement stated that they are not aware of any changes in respect of the SGN site.