Our Planning Appeals Services
- Expert witness at public inquiries
- Conducting informal hearings
- Preparing written representations
- Appeals against enforcement notices
Berwyn Owen is an experienced Chartered Town Planner with a background in private and public sector
Case Histories
Tal y Fan, Glan Conwy
The company were retained by a well-known local developer to advise on an appeal for a housing site following refusal of permission. The site was outside the village boundary and was not allocated. However Owen Devenport considered that the lack of housing sites in the Council area justified an appeal. This was successful and planning permission was granted for 12 dwellings including 6 affordable homes for local people.
High Pastures, Deganwy
Having applied for planning permission and being refused for this valuable development site, the clients were urged to appeal against the Council's decision. Even though the site was not allocated Owen Devenport were of the view that there was a need for housing in the area. An Informal Hearing was conducted and a landmark decision allowed development of the site on appeal, and the site has since been sold on to national developers who have retained the company's planning services.
Proposed Nursery
The clients had been refused permission to convert this residential property into a pre-school nursery. The difficulties revolved around neighbour objections and effect upon residential amenities. However when Owen Devenport were asked to act on the owners behalf it was considered that an appeal was the only alternative. An Informal Hearing was held with numerous neighbours in attendance objecting vociferously to the change of use.
However the site meeting revealed little genuine impact on the adjoining properties and the Inspector upheld the appeal. As the client said, "Many thanks for all your endeavours. I shall certainly recommend you. You were great!!"
Mill Bank Site
Owen Devenport were instructed to advise on the redevelopment of this site following a refusal of planning permission. Issues related to overdevelopment, affect upon a Listed Building and highway objections. Having considered carefully the background to the scheme the developer was advised to appeal.
Consequently an appeal was conducted by the company into the refusal of permission for 9 flats on this brownfield site. The appeal was successful and permission was granted for the development.
Residental Extension
Planning permission was refused for the alterations and extensions to this detached property in Prestatyn. The owners decided to appeal, and when Owen Devenport took up the case they discovered that in their opinion the Local Planning Authority had acted unreasonably in reaching their decision.
Consequently the clients, through the actions and advice of Owen Devenport, went to appeal, and at the Hearing also put in a claim for costs. The development was approved, and Mr and Mrs Burton won the claim with all their appeal costs being reimbursed. Such claims are not common but when there is malpractice by the Local Planning Authority these should be brought to the clients attention, with a view to considering the merits of a claim for costs.
Colwyn Bay Flats
The owners of this property at Colwyn Bay, in use as 3 flats, were refused permission to carry out an extension to the rear for two further flats. The matter has gone to appeal and our research has revealed that next door has had an identical extension approved and built, and an extension allowing 7 flats on this site was approved (but not built) some 10 years ago.
This is a case where the owners wish to improve the site, and next doors approved development is testament as to how well this type of proposal works. An informal hearing was held and the appeal was successful.
