All posts tagged news

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The NPPF is published

By on March 27, 2012 in Localism, NPPF, Planning Policy

The long awaited National Planing Policy Framework has been published. You can view the document here, or check back soon for detailed analysis.

National Trust is major opposition in NPPF consultation period

By on September 30, 2011 in NPPF, Planning Policy

With less than three weeks to go until the consultation period ends on the draft changes to the NPPF the debate is heating up. The major player for the opposition seems to be the National Trust, digging its heels in on matters concerning “sustainable development” and “greenbelt” — here we take a look at the latest developments in this ongoing conflict of interests with links to articles which state the facts and have generated much interest here in the Prism offices.

You may have seen in our newsletter that last Thursday (22.9.11) Planning minister Greg Clark faced the National Trust’s firing squad and stated his intent to listen to their concerns and take action. He also reassured those in attendance that he is determined to go ahead with the proposed changes but does not intend them to change the purpose of the planning system. You can read the article from the Guardian on this here.

You could be forgiven for being confused as to why the National Trust, owner of castles and similar rural heritage sites, is such a formidable enemy to make. Well let’s not forget their immense impact in the forestry debate which saw the government backtrack on policy in the face of outcry. This piece from the Economist explains why Mr Cameron might do well to get the charity on-side for this one, and why he might already be taking the steps by calling for dialogue.

Not only have the National Trust created a public backlash— inviting those opposing the plans to contact MPs-and lobbied party conferences, but now they have a list of demands rather resembling a list of ten planning commandments. You can see their demands here.

What’s next? Well there is sure to be a torrent of comment and debate around the demands, such as the comments here from Liz Peace stating that she believes the National Trust may have misread the NPPF. There will also be mounting support for the charity’s campaign with new petitions to sign appearing ever day and spreading like wildfire via Twitter and other powerful social media platforms. It’s certainly one to watch and an issue which will continue to dominate the planning world until the consultation closes on October 17th and we all wait with baited breath.

Another Success for Prism Planning at Pear Tree Cottage, Brearton near Harrogate.

By on April 14, 2011 in Development Control, Prism News

In early April 2011 we secured planning permission for clients for the erection of replacement 5-bedroomed dwelling with detached double garage on a site at Brearton, a small village within Harrogate Borough.

Harrogate Borough Council are one of the more demanding authorities that we work with but nonetheless through persistence and constructive negotiation we were able to secure permission for the size and form of house that our clients sought.

Indeed, throughout the somewhat lengthy planning process we sought to engage positively with the case officer. We first contacted the Council with a pre-application inquiry in June 2010, the response to which informed the planning application subsequently submitted in October 2010. However, in late November we were advised that the proposals were not considered the be entirely acceptable and that the application was to be recommended for refusal. Rather than becoming embroiled in conflict by allowing the application to be refused and appealing the decision, we withdrew the application and sought further discussions with the case officer. These discussions provided to be helpful, the consequence of which was the design of the house was revised quite radically revised, albeit that it retained the same overall scale, and the revised planning application was submitted in Februrary 2011. The application was reported to the April meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee with a recommendation that planning permission be granted. We attended the meeting and spoke in favour of the application.

The route we took proved to be the right one in this instance as the Committee voted unanimously in favour of granting planning permission and our clients were very satisfied with the outcome. There are instances when the only option is to appeal against the refusal of planning permission. In this instance the alternative of withdrawing an application before it was refused, negotiating with the case officer and re-submitting a revised application proved to be the right course of action.

Goings on at Prism

By on April 5, 2011 in Prism News

We have some fantastic news – we have won an appeal with costs awarded for a Joint Service Centre in Whitley Bay!

We worked on behalf of North Tyneside Local Improvement Finance Trust to get the decision, described in the appeal as ‘unreasonable’, overturned. The Council had originally claimed that parking and aesthetics were an issue, but both reasons were discarded in the appeal decision and we are delighted to see this development go ahead.

The service centre will bring much needed public amenities to the disused site next to the Fire Station including; library, tourist information point, public meeting rooms and medical consultation rooms in a contemporary building organised around a central atrium.

Another noteworthy event is the start of the Prism Twitter and Newsletter. Keep an eye out on the website for our newsletter sign up box coming soon and follow us for news and information relating to planning and development, not to mention some tips for those DIY developers among you!