|
Councils' 'Carol
Beer'
stance on extensions to hit 20k households
LOCAL Councils' "computer
says no" attitude led to 18,500 unfair planning permission rejections
in 2015; which are set to dramatically increase in 2016 if likely changes to
planning law come to fruition, according to:- 'Just Planning', the UK's only
householder appeals specialist.
The company has a 71% success rate in defending homeowners from the unjust
decisions of Council Planning Officers; who it equates to the Carol Beer
character from Little Britain, famous for dismissing customers with the
phrase:- "computer says no". Only 2,190 households managed to overcome
these officers last year, by successfully appealing to the national Planning
Inspectorate on their own, thereby avoiding the significant costs of tearing
down an extension or moving home.
However, Just Planning expects the number of unfair rejections to hit almost
20,000 households in 2016, a figure that will dramatically increase even
further in 2017, if changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
currently under debate are enacted later in 2016. It believes these
changes will further complicate the UK's chaotic system of local planning
rules, overload planning officers and confuse householders. Households could
also see a rise in the cost of applying for planning permission under
recently released Government proposals.
The majority of Just Planning appeals were successful in 2015 due to the
erroneous views of planning officers; confusion stemming from a clash
between Government and local policies followed by 'flawed design
aesthetics'.
Martin Gaine, CEO of Just Planning, said:- "Further changes to
national planning policy will only frustrate the system's already
fragmented, light-touch approach to applications. Overworked planning
officers who are confused between national and local planning policy tend to
reject applications out of hand based on dated rules. But households who are
strapped for space or cannot afford to move should not take this lying down.
Everyone should appeal a refusal, even though many people aren't aware there
is even a process in place. Sometimes they may have to resubmit an initial
application, but the odds on a successful appeal are in their favour;
especially given the number of "Carol Beers" in local Councils. Our experts
on planning appeals are here to convince households they have a fighting
chance."
The Top 5 reasons for successful appeals:-
1. Erroneous Case Officers...
The erroneous or inflexible view of individual case officers is the basis
for the majority of successful appeals, who have cited out of date policies
in conflict with national planning policy or who have failed to objectively
assess a submission. For example, many planners will reject an extension
over three metres in depth, even though the Government raised this to
six/eight metres under certain conditions in 2013. These types of refusals
should always be appealed; Just Planning has a higher success rate of 75%
on these cases and the appellant may also win an award of costs in their
favour. Such cases accounted for 35% of Just Planning appeals in 2015.
2. Flawed Design Aesthetics...
A specific Council may take objection to the aesthetics of an extension,
such as non uniform plaster or bricks used in its construction. However, due
to the subjective nature of these decisions, Councils have a particularly
weak record on appeal where design is the main issue. Such cases accounted
for 24% of Just Planning appeals in 2015.
3. Amenity Impact...
The 'Amenity Impact' on neighbours, such as adverse noise or blockage
of natural light is often cited by planners in rejections. Many applications
fall foul of the '45 Degree Rule'... this dictates an extension must
not intersect a line drawn at 45 degrees from a neighbour's window. However
it may be argued the window is not in common use and will not affect a
neighbour's 'amenity'. Such cases accounted for 17% of Just Planning
appeals in 2015.
4. Council specific rules..
A specific Council 's rules on certain parameters have been violated i.e. the
London Borough of Waltham Forest Council dictates no extensions may be made
to a "side-return" that might block natural light onto a neighbour's
premises and the London Borough of Lambeth is particularly restrictive on
loft extensions. Success in this kind of appeal depends on how strong and
recent the policy is and whether it has been successfully challenged at
appeal previously. Such cases accounted for 14% of Just Planning appeals in
2015.
5. Universal principles...
Basic universal principles common across all Councils may have been ignored;
for example, almost all Councils dictate a double storey side extension
needs to be set back a metre from the front of a main residence, so that it
looks subordinate. In such cases, Just Planning advises changing and
resubmitting the application. Such cases accounted for 10% of Just Planning
appeals in 2015.
Even though approximately 90% of applications are granted nationally, there
is a wide discrepancy in the number of cases granted by local planners, with
the lowest (Newham Council in London) granting only 53% of cases and 6
Councils granting 100%.
Hoping to shine a light on the UK's planning complexities, the company found
there is also a North / South divide to planning rejections, with a higher
proportion from Councils in the South of England. The bottom 10 Councils
for rejections have a 53 to 73% rejection rate, which are all located in the
South East.
Conversely, the Top 10 for approvals have a 99 100% approval
rate, all located outside the South East. Homeowners in London come out
worst... 7 of the 10 Councils, with the lowest approvals come from London
boroughs.
Londoners are also at greater risk of enforcement notices; which may led to
an extension being dismantled at extreme cost; as 55% of notices are
focused there. However a significant minority at 43% are quashed on appeal.
Police issue warning after prescription
medication is lost in Southport Town Centre
MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for
the public to be cautious after prescription medication is believed to have
been lost in Southport, at around 11am, on Wednesday, 2 March 2016. Officers
received a report that a woman lost her bag somewhere in Southport Town
Centre. The medication comprises a dose of MSP, a morphine derivative.
Enquiries into the incident are continuing. Officers are reminding people
that taking any medication which has not been prescribed for them can be
dangerous and, in some circumstances, can prove fatal. Anyone who finds any
of the medication is asked to hand it in to any Pharmacy or Police Station
or call Officers on the:- 101 number.
|
 |
River Festival looking
shipshape for 2016
LIVERPOOL'S popular maritime
festival is returning with brand new additions to the line up. The
International Mersey River Festival in partnership with Kier Group returns
for the 5th consecutive year, running from Friday, 3 June to Sunday, 5 June 2016.
This year's FREE event has some exciting new activities including:-
The British Thunder Cat Racing Tour - For the 1st time the City will host
rounds of this spectacular championship throughout both days of the
festival. More than 18 boats will battle it out on the Mersey reaching
speeds in excess of 65mph and the impressive demonstrations are expected to
bring in huge crowds.
Event Director Fiona Pascoe is thrilled
with the new partnership, commenting:- "We are really pleased to be
going to Liverpool and have heard how fantastic the local community are at
getting involved. We hope to provide some memorable entertainment for all
the family. Anyone wishing to assist us over the weekend should contact us,
we are always looking for volunteers to help and join in on the fun."
For more information visit:-
ThunderCatracing.Com.
► Industry Pro Wakeboard Tour... The UK's only professional wakeboard tour is
coming to the International Mersey River Festival and will see some of the
top athletes compete through at Salthouse Dock using floating jumps and
ramps to perform heart stopping tricks. A few wildcards will be thrown in to
the mix to ramp up the tension as they join former national champion
Christian Koester and up and coming athletes like Ryan and Liam Peacock.
Some local talent including Harley Somerville and Alex Brandwood will also
be showcasing their skills with a total of 16 riders taking part across the
2 days.
Managing Director of Industry Wake Parks, Tim Woodhead, said:- "The
Pro Wakeboard Tour will bring the UK's best wakeboarders into the heart of
Liverpool. Spectators can get full 360 degree viewing in the amazing
Salthouse Dock and will be very close to the action. Huge jumps will see the
wakeboarders performing monster tricks like 720's, Moby Dicks, Tantrums and
hopefully some double flips."
► Daniel Adamson 1st view.. Following its £3.8million restoration, the Daniel
Adamson steam tug tender is making its refurbished debut at the festival
where it will be in full working order for passengers for the 1st time in
95 years. The 113 year old boat is the UK's only passenger steam vessel and
will take passengers on a unique cruising experience as well as giving them
access to a floating, interactive museum. This will be a ticketed event and
a dedicated website which will allow people to book their place will be live
in the forthcoming weeks. In the meantime, people can find out more
online.
Dan Cross Chairman of the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society, said:-
"We cannot wait to be part of the International Mersey River Festival, this
will be a significant event for us as 'The Danny' will be finally launched
to the public as a new cruise attraction for Liverpool at the festival and
will be seen taking on board passengers at the cruise terminal, which will
be a very proud day for all involved in the boat's restoration."
► Making a welcome return for the 2nd year is the Northern Boat Show, and
thanks to its popularity in 2015, this year's show will see quadruple the
number of boats on display. It covers all aspects of the leisure marine
industry and there will be displays of power boats, cruisers, narrow boats,
and sail boats and features some of the biggest brands in the marine world
such as Bavaria, Beneteau and Dufour Yachts. The land based part of the
exhibition is free to all, and there is just a £5 charge to be able to
access the pontoons. To book the early bird tickets (cost will rise to £8
from May) or for more information, visit:-
NorthernBoatShow.Co.UK.
Richard Milbourn, Director of the Northern Boat Show said:- "Being
part of the International Mersey River Festival and being able to showcase
boats in Liverpool with its world renowned waterfront and maritime heritage
gave the Northern Boat Show a real buzz and numerous attractions for
visitors. Exhibitors were delighted with the quantity and quality of
visitors which has been reflected in virtually all the exhibitors re-booking
for this year's Show.
We're very excited this year to be taking over nearly the whole of Salthouse
Dock to accommodate the glut of boat bookings already confirmed. Most
importantly, it combines the best of all boat shows by having the land based
exhibition on the quayside overlooking the boats in the water with the added
advantage of City Centre facilities on its doorstep."
► There will be the usual favourites returning in June,
that
includes:- 60 narrow boats, as part of the Eldonian Village
Canal Festival, which celebrates 200 years of the Leeds to Liverpool Canal,
4 Tall Ships, the International Canoe Polo Tournament, jet skiing
demonstrations, Zap Cats, have a go water sports sessions at Salthouse Dock,
Flyboarding and thrillingly heart stopping Yakovlevs Air Display!
► The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Village will be located at the area around
the Cruise Liner Terminal's Passenger Lounge. Visitors will be able to see
helicopters, recruitment vehicles and diving tanks courtesy of the Royal
Navy, and the Royal Marines will also be entertaining crowds, with unarmed combat
and weapons displays. As part of this the Sea Cadets will be performing
their field gun window ladder semaphore and club swinging displays.
►
There will also be a dedicated children's area which will include:- street
theatre, arts and crafts.
► Following on from 2015, the festival will link up with Dublin's River
Festival as both Cities pay tribute to each other's maritime links. Full
details will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.
With a theme of 'Soundwaves', the music element of the festival is
currently being programmed and will return once again with the Main Stage at
the Pier Head, the Sound Waves stage located at the Mann Island Basin and
the Ship Stage on board a vessel at Hartley Quay. As well as household
names, there are expected to be performances from community choirs, the
Royal Marine Band, Irish bands and some home grown talent.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "The line up for this year is so strong
and it's a credit to everyone involved that the River Festival has
established itself as an event that external organisations want to be part
of.
The Pro Wakeboard Tour, Thunder Cat race, the Daniel Adamson and the return
of the Northern Boat Show are all huge coups and will undoubtedly bring in
large crowds. It's a busy weekend for our waterfront, but year on year we
continue to get great feedback from visitors who really enjoy the family
friendly experience. There's always a real appetite for events which focus
on or around the river and I'm sure 2016 will be no exception."
For the latest information, visit the Festival's
website, follow @Merseyfestival on
Twitter or like International Mersey River Festival on Facebook. |
