{"id":4312,"date":"2010-05-02T21:36:54","date_gmt":"2010-05-02T21:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onlinefocus.org\/?p=4312"},"modified":"2010-05-02T21:38:36","modified_gmt":"2010-05-02T21:38:36","slug":"a-hat-trick-of-successes-for-the-district-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onlinefocus.org\/a-hat-trick-of-successes-for-the-district-council\/","title":{"rendered":"A Hat-Trick Of Successes For The District Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the unique things about Rochford District Council is that all 39 councillors are normally members of the Development Committee, which deals with planning applications.<\/p>\n

Every other council seems to have a specialised committee with a smaller number of councillors on it.<\/p>\n

So when a team of government inspectors from somewhere like the Audit Commission come to visit, the size of the committee tends to be a talking point. Basically on the lines of ‘all these councillors taking part, doesn’t it lead to bad decision making, don’t you get lots of decisions overturned by a planning inspector?<\/p>\n

The answer is actually ‘no, we don’t<\/em> lose too many appeals.’<\/p>\n

For example in 2009 the council won about 33 appeals, lost about 15, and there was 1 ‘split decision’. So that’s a success rate of about 66%. You can download the list here.<\/a> (22kb).<\/p>\n

The list for the first quarter of 2010<\/a> (27kb) is even better – the council only lost one appeal out of six. (the one it lost was for floodlighting at Rayleigh Tennis Club).<\/p>\n

The council’s run of success at appeals is still continuing – we’ve just been advised of three more decisions that have gone the council’s way:
\n
\n247 London Road Rayleigh<\/strong> – This was an application to demolish a garage and build a nursing home for 50 persons. Officers recommended approval, but it was refused by councillors on the grounds of :<\/p>\n

  • the effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, – the inspector, Michael Aldous, didn’t think it would have a bad effect.<\/li>\n
  • the amount of parking space provided, – the inspector thought the parking was ok. <\/li>\n
  • and the effect on adjoining neighbours. – the inspector felt that the whole scheme should be refused because of the effect that night-time use of the car park would have on neighbours <\/li>\n

    The Rose Garden Restaurant, Aldermans Hill, Hockley<\/strong> – change of use to a restaurant. The inspector, Frances Maloney, agreed with the council, and refused the appeal – on green belt grounds and effect on neighbours 12 hours per day.<\/p>\n

    Land rear of Timberwharf Cottages , Beeches Road, Battlesbridge <\/strong>– this was an appeal in a complicated planning enforcement case, with the appellant trying to prove he had used some buildings as a dwelling for more than 5 years before the council took enforcement action (which would given him the right to stay). However the inspector, Sara Morgan, agreed with the council.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    One of the unique things about Rochford District Council is that all 39 councillors are normally members of the Development Committee, which deals with planning applications. Every other council seems to have a specialised committee with a smaller number of councillors on it. 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