This is quite a controversial proposal in Mount Road, Tranmere, which is an area consisting of moderately high density 1930’s – 1940’s semi-detached dwellings. The proposal is to demolish a large detached dwelling, and to re-develop the site to incorporate a block of 8 apartments

The scheme was submitted as an Outline Planning Application. This is where we apply for the agreement of the Planning Department to the principle of the development. All matters concerning the proposal were reserved, meaning that all the details, i.e. design, siting, external appearance, means of access and landscaping, will be decided upon after the Planning Department have agreed to the development in principle, and granted Outline Planning Permission.

Because of the scale of the project and the interest generated, the Application had to be decided by the Planning Committee following the recommendation of the Planning Department.

In this instance, the Planning Department recommended REFUSAL of the project to the Planning Committee, who, concurred with the recommendation and refused Outline Planning Permission.

A copy of the Planning Departments reasoning is attached below.

http://www.wirral.gov.uk/minute/Public/PLG20057395rpt_18556.pdf

Following on from the refusal, an appeal was made to the Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate operates independently from the Local Planning Authorities and the Planning Inspectors have the power to overturn the decisions made by the Local Planning Authorities, should they decide so.

In this instance, the Appeal was made by the ‘Written Representation’ process. This process allows the Appeal, along with written argument supporting the case for allowing the Appeal, to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The Local Planning Authority then submits written arguments supporting dismissal of the Appeal. The Planning Inspector then visits the site to view the site and the proposed development, studies the arguments both for and against the Appeal, then comes to a formal decision.

In this instance the Planning Inspector agreed with the arguments made for allowing the Appeal and gave formal Outline Planning Permission for the development.

A copy of the Planning Inspectors Decision Notice is attached below.

http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/fscdav/READONLY?OBJ=
COO.2036.300.2.4571096&NAME=/DECISION.pdf