13/01/2023
Happy New Year to everyone and looking forward to an exciting and successful 2023!
Our social media presence was notable by its absence over the second half of 2022, for which we apologise, however, this was all for the best possible reason (to misquote Kenny Everett!). After the backlog which had built up during the COVID shutdowns, the re-opening of the Appeal process by PINS saw a tidal wave of Appeal work throughout the last 5 months or so, including Carl appearing in two Public Inquiries and one Appeal Hearing. The first Inquiry, which was in July and August, unusually saw us representing a local Authority (Wiltshire) in defence of their refusal of permission for 92 dwellings on an allocated housing site in Trowbridge. Against a backdrop of a lack of Housing Land Supply, this was always going to be an uphill struggle and yet a very rapid turn-around of the Inspector's Decision Notice saw a resounding win for our client, when the refusal was upheld. The Inspector agreed with cTc's evidence in regard to every matter raised at the Inquiry, which was very pleasing indeed!
The other Appeals included a Hearing in which we represented the Appellant in regard to a refused Application for conversion of an historic and listed manor house in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to provide hotel accommodation and associated uses. We continue to await the results of this Hearing, however, we are pleased that in negotiation behind closed doors during the Appeal process, Carl managed to provide a signed, joint written statement to add to the formal Statement of Common Ground, which confirmed there was no remaining highways or transportation Reason for Refusal of Planning Permission.
Finally, in December, Carl represented a local land owner (the Appellant) in a Public Inquiry concerning an Appeal against North Somerset Council's refusal of Planning Permission for a Park and Ride facility to serve Bristol International Airport. Unusually, the Highways Reason for Refusal was defended at this Inquiry not by the Council as Local Highway Authority, but by the Airport, who were granted Rule 6 status, as an Interested Third Party. Again, we await the decision pursuant to that Appeal.
In addition to the above, a further commission to provide Expert Witness representation in a High Court case concerning a residential development in Devon was concluded in discussion out of Court, hence Carl's appearance on behalf of the defendant (the developer) was not required. However, much work had been undertaken in preparation and fed to the respective legal teams in order to facilitate that out of court settlement.
With all of that excitement behind us, we continue to look forward to what 2023 has to offer. Onwards and upwards!
