Marston Lane, Frome - Public Inquiry

Key Skills: Public Inquiry

Professional Expert Witness

5 year housing supply

Paragraph 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Category: Residential Development

Refusal of Planning Permission

Landscape Harm

Local Authority Support

LPA: Mendip District Council

The Project

Following the refusal of planning permission by Mendip District Council we were asked to defend the Council’s case as Expert Planning Witness in an 8 day Public Inquiry.

Tadman Planning Consultants was pleased to manage the whole process on behalf of the Council submitting the statement of case, Proof of Evidence, negotiating the S106 agreement, liaising with the Council’s Barrister and Solicitor, Landscape Officer and Planning Policy Officer as well as acting as Expert Witness.

The application was originally refused for six reasons with four being overcome via negotiation during the appeal process. The final reasons for refusal included:

• Principle of development, despite the Council having no 5 year housing supply, the harms significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits

• Landscape harm, defended by Charles Potterton of Potterton Associates Ltd

Outcome: The appeal was dismissed on both grounds - Appeal Decision

Applicant: Gleeson Land Ltd