Interesting Cases
Here are a few cases which I have handled in recent years.
Lawful use
A farmer had let out some of the farm buildings to non-agricultural tenants. I obtained a lawful use certificate for him from the Council. The farm buildings had a complicated planning history, and I compiled a detailed report for the client on the planning status of all the buildings within the farm complex.
New house 1
Clients wanted to build a new village house on a plot which they owned. I worked with the clients and their architect to prepare the planning application and send it to the Council. The parish council objected. The application was considered by the Council’s planning committee, and after I made a speech to the committee they granted planning permission.
New house 2
Client wanted to build a new detached house on a large site. The Council refused planning permission. I worked with the client, the architect and the planning consultant to appeal against the decision. After holding a hearing into the appeal the independent inspector granted planning permission.
House extension
Clients wanted to extend their house, which was a replacement house in the green belt. I worked with the clients and their planning consultant to apply for permission. The Council maintained that the extension would exceed its size limit for the house, but planning permission was granted after an appeal. The Council changed the wording of its policy after this result. The extension also needed an old planning agreement to be altered, which the Council agreed after I had applied to the Lands Tribunal to have it changed.
Racecourse
I worked for many years on the scheme for the first all-new racecourse in this country since 1927. I prepared and lodged a number of successful planning applications, working with the clients and their architects, highway consultant, landscape consultants, planning consultant and project managers. I also handled related work, including negotiating planning agreements and highways agreements, and obtaining a highways stopping-up order. The racecourse held its first meeting in April 2008.