Solihull Council is celebrating a string of successes after winning five planning appeals, bringing relief after a recent poor run of lost decisions. The victories mean the authority and taxpayers will not face additional costs from the appeals.
According to a report prepared for the council's planning committee meeting on May 27, the government's planning inspectorate dismissed five appeals against the council's decisions. This follows a period where the council lost four appeals in quick succession, drawing criticism over its handling of planning matters.
Details of the Dismissed Appeals
The successful defences include:
- Eden Road, Elmdon: A retrospective application for a 6ft feather-board boundary fence inside an existing wall. The inspector agreed the fence harmed the street scene.
- Wolston Close, Shirley: An appeal to fell an ash tree at the rear of a garden. The inspector ruled the felling would cause substantial harm to the character of the area, despite claims the tree made the garden unusable and created a trip hazard.
- Stroud Road, Shirley: A prior notification for a ground floor rear extension with a flat roof and roof lantern. The inspector agreed it was not permitted development.
- Vicarage Road, Dorridge: An extension to a dining room and hall, with removal of permitted development rights. The inspector deemed the removal necessary and reasonable to prevent uncontrolled development.
- The Green: A retrospective application for creating a pair of semi-detached homes, with removal of permitted development rights. Inspector Hannah Guest ruled it was necessary for highway safety.
Background
The council had previously faced criticism after losing four appeals, including cases where applicants challenged refusals for extensions and other developments. The latest wins will boost confidence among planning officials and councillors.
The full appeal decisions are available on the council's website at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.
