Issue - meetings

The Committee was reminded that it had considered the first monitoring report on the outcome of Planning Appeals for the two calendar years 2019 and 2020 at its meeting held on 19 November 2020. Whilst the contents and conclusions of that report were noted, it became evident that the Chairman had expected the comparison and data to have included the 2018 calendar year. It was also felt that the focus should be mainly on member overturns at Planning Committee, and to get a better feeling and understanding of time and monies involved in defending subsequent appeals.

The Committee agreed that the data should be looked at twice yearly, going forward, to see if any patterns were emerging in respect of member overturns, costs of overturn appeals and awards of costs. The Committee considered the second monitoring report on planning appeals, which focused on ‘overturn’ appeals data and ‘costs’ data for 2018, compared with 2019, 2020 and the start of 2021 (up to 4 March 2021).

During the debate, the following points were raised:

·       Insufficient time to discuss appeal decisions at Planning Committee meetings.  It was noted, however, that the LGA Planning Peer Review had suggested holding a regular forum for all councillors to discuss in greater detail particular planning appeals that they would like to suggest.

·       The importance of the need for ongoing training for Planning Committee members was again emphasised.

·       The Council’s overall performance in relation to planning appeals should be commended and new members of the Planning Committee now understood the need to have robust planning reasons for refusing planning applications.

·       Concern over the threat of a costs award against the Council being a priority consideration for the Planning Committee.  It was noted that, whilst this was a factor to be taken into account in decision making, such awards were less likely where reasons cited for refusal were sound and reasonable.

·       It was noted that the Planning Committee Review Working Group had discussed the greater involvement of councillors in planning appeals, particularly those who propose and second a motion to overturn an officer recommendation.

·       The working group would also be looking at the contents of officer reports to the Planning Committee in terms of how they capture and balance the various considerations.

Having considered the report, the Committee

RESOLVED: That the contents of the update report and data be noted.

Reason:

To enable the Committee to monitor the Council’s performance on planning appeals.