We submitted an application for a change of use of shop into 2 flats, with our client having had a similar application refused permission previously.

Having advised that there should be no reasonable grounds for refusal given evidence we had collected a revised application was duly submitted. The Planning Officers agreed and recommended approval. However the Local Member called the application to committee and persuaded the other Councillors to refuse permission on highway grounds.

Bearing in mind the Highway Authority had no objection we strongly advised our client to appeal against this decision. Fortunately the client took our advice and we conducted the appeal on their behalf, through Written Representations. The Inspector duly overturned the Council’s decision and granted planning permission for the development, indicating as we had suggested, that the proposal would actually reduce traffic movement rather than increase it, a fact that was indeed set out before the planning committee, but such advice was ignored.