Issue - meetings

Report DRR18/024

This report provided an update on planning appeals received and decided for the year 2017/18.

The Chief Planner reported that the national figure for appeals allowed was 33%.  Bromley’s currently stood at 38%, a decrease on the previous year, so the Council was heading in the right direction.  Bromley refused approximately 25% of applications compared to the national rate of 15%.  This was due, in part, to the Borough having significantly more Green Belt land and Conservation Areas etc.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report DRR18/024

Consideration was given to an update on planning appeals received and decided for the year 2017/18.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Planning Appeals and Enforcement Manager explained that appeal cases had increased significantly over the last year because Bromley received a higher number of planning applications compared with other Boroughs.  Therefore, the refusal rate was also higher.

The Chairman requested (and Members agreed), that a fuller report be submitted for consideration in September 2018 to include:-

·  cases determined under delegated authority or by Committee;

·  applications determined against officer recommendation for permission;

·  the outcome of appeals - whether they were upheld or dismissed;

·  comparison figures with other London Boroughs;

·  costs awarded for appeals which were allowed;

·  list of inquiries and costs for lawyers etc.

The Chairman noted that the national figure for appeals allowed was 33%.  Bromley’s currently stood at 38%, a decrease on the previous year, so the Council was heading in the right direction.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and a more detailed report, including the items listed above, be submitted for consideration at the Development Control Committee meeting in September 2018.