Planning permission has been granted for the retention of three dwellings in the Green Belt, in Surrey. The client had converted three buildings to separate houses and enforcement investigations had commenced. We advised in relation to the lawfulness of the case, and then prepared a planning application to argue why permission should be granted for the retention of the dwellings. This was approved by the Planning Committee.

Client: private householder

A long-running saga has taken a step closer to being resolved. We have worked for a commercial client undertaking vehicle repairs under a lawful planning permission. We sought to extend the opening hours for the business, with new mitigation measures to ensure no noise to the neighbours. Planning permission was granted for this change, but the Council imposed conditions on the grant of permission that meant the permission was effectively useless. We appealed against the conditions and the Inspector agreed with our case, so varied the permission to be something our client can actually implement. Partial costs were awarded against the Council for them imposing unreasonable conditions.

Client: National Rescue Group

A long-running case has at last been resolved with a successful appeal against a refusal of permission by Richmond Borough Council. We had obtained planning permission for works to a property in a development of distinctive housing fronting the Thames, and had also won an appeal for works to other properties in the estate. There had been differences during the construction of the scheme and the Council decided to take action. We presented the case that the alterations to the buildings were not harmful to the setting of the Thames or the conservation area.
Client: private client

We secured a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm the division of a property into two dwelling in a Surrey planning authority, where otherwise the client would have been faced with difficulties continuing to live in their house. The application was prepared with a comprehensive collection of supporting evidence and covered all possible aspects that might be questioned by the Council. Approval was achieved under delegated powers within the 8 weeks.
Client: private householder

We were called in by solicitors to assist one of their clients who was at threat from prosecution for non-compliance with an enforcement notice and dismissed appeals. The client had been told he must vacate the land and effectively lose all rights for any useful purpose.

We appraised the case and came to a different interpretation of the situation. We then undertook discussions with the local authority and submitted a series of applications to regularise the use of the land. In the face of continued prosecution action, we managed to negotiate a new building on the land and storage in the countryside.

​Client: private company

After a project that lasted 7 years, with a very patient and understanding client, planning permission has finally been granted for a new house on land outside the settlement boundary, near Ascot. The client had investigations from the Council relating to the lawful use of the land and over the years we demonstrated how his activities could be carried out at the site, and then prepared a series of planning applications to secure a large new house.

​Client: private client

A nursing home for the elderly received notice from their local planning authority that enforcement action was likely to be taken against a collection of buildings in their rear garden. These buildings contained important facilities for the Home, and their removal would have caused difficulties for care provision and the efficient running of the Home. We submitted an application to retain the buildings permanently, and permission was granted and so the threat of enforcement action went away.

Client: Surrey Rest Homes

An architect and client had undertaken extensive works to a property in London in the belief that they constituted permitted development. A neighbour and the local planning authority disagreed and threatened enforcement action, which would have been very costly and disruptive. We were asked to review the case and concluded that there should not be any action taken.

We made strong submissions to the Council to explain why action should not be taken, backed up by firm legal opinion. Action was not taken and the work could remain.

Client: private client

A client owned land in the Green Belt near Windsor which was being used for private allotments, being rented out to paying members of the public. With a shortage of allotment land in the south of England, this is a productive and profitable use for an un-economic small parcel of agricultural land, and was also much appreciated by local residents to grow their own food. However, the Council didn't see it that way and threatened enforcement action. It was demonstrated there was no breach of planning regulations, and no material harm that would justify such action, and the Council did not pursue the matter further.

Client: private company