Issue - meetings

Report DRR19/032

Members considered an update on planning appeals received and decided for the year 2018/2019. 

Detailed information relating to this item was considered under the confidential part 2 section of the agenda (Item 17).

Referring to Table One on page 135 (paragraph 3.5), Councillor Michael commented on the large variation between appeals allowed via the fasttrack method (55%) and those allowed via written appeal (29%).  The total percentage of appeals allowed was 41% against the national comparison of 39%.  So, although Bromley was slightly above the national average with appeals allowed, it was noted that the national percentage figure for appeals allowed was in fact rising.

Councillor Owen reported that the Chairman, Petts Wood and Knoll Ward Members and the Orpington MP had met with the Minister and the National Chief Planner and were keen for a Planning Inspector to visit Petts Wood for them to better understand Members’ concerns in regard to development within the Petts Wood Area of Special Residential Character and to see why members had a different interpretation of the rules in place.  It was suggested that this could avoid the risk of appeals and further costs. 

The Chairman reported there may be a possibility of making a Conservation Area in Petts Wood.

In response to the above, Councillor Allen referred back to the PAS Review where a great deal of the background to the matter above was covered in the recommendations.  Members of the RR&H PDS Committee had previously enquired as to the use of the ASRC and had noted that planning applications in some Wards had elicited more ‘call-ins’ than others.  If the PAS Review was taken seriously, then hopefully this time next year the Appeals Monitoring Report should have fewer entries in it.

Councillor Fawthrop advised that the majority of the Council’s lost appeals arose from the fasttrack system where in sufficient paperwork was submitted in evidence.  The other possible cause for lost appeals was that some developers submitted household appeals via fasttrack in order to get around the system.  This was a matter which required serious attention.

Councillor Huntington-Thresher emphasised the need for the Council to retain experts where necessary to assist in appeals such as traveller applications where the appellants usually engage a high degree of expert professionals to defend them.

The Chief Planner clarified that the fasttrack appeals system concerns householder development (not the developer themselves) and therefore any applicant could submit an appeal.

Members were also informed that, when appropriate, the Council does seek, within its means, to engage experts to act on its behalf.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report DRR19/031

Members received an update on the award of costs from planning appeals made in the financial year 2018/2019.  The report also contained an update on cost claims paid in the same year. 

Detailed information of individual appeal cases were considered under the confidential part 2 section of the agenda.

Members considered this item in conjunction with agenda Item 16 under the Part 2 Section.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.