Agenda item

This report follows on from recommendations in the Planning Improvement Action Plan 2017 to provide Members with an update on recent appeal decisions, and identifies any notable decisions for discussion.

The Committee were informed that following the conclusion of the Planning Improvement Peer Challenge in September 2017, officers and members were in the process of producing an Improvement Plan and that part of the recommendation had been to regularly report the outcome of appeals and highlight any results that may assist members to better understand the appeals process.

To that end the Committee were provided with eight appeal summaries and the following comments were made:

·       Sunninghill, Downs Avenue was interesting in relation to the affordable housing aspect of the appeal.  Members of the committee had also been provided with a copy of the Statement on the Exemption of small sites from Development Contributions (Affordable Housing) which had been agreed at the Licensing and Planning Policy on 7 December.  Members noted that it although the statement was considered robust, the success of the policy could not be predicted but officers were encouraged by the success that Elmbridge Borough Council had had applying their policy despite the influence of the Ministerial Statement.

·       Out of the eight appeals only one had been allowed.  This was an indication that sound reasons for refusal were being applied.

·       The decision on Young Farmers Hut, Reigate Road, strengthened the case that new development on the green belt was not acceptable.