Latest news with #planninginspector
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ban on second homes upheld on Salcombe luxury flats
People living in a seaside town have welcomed the rejection of a developer's bid to allow four new luxury flats being sold as second homes. A planning inspector has upheld a principal residency condition on all new build dwellings in Salcombe which means the flats are for sale only to people who live there."It's about keeping Salcombe a lived-in town, not just a postcard," said Salcombe Town Council after the ruling by a planning inspector on the flats at Brewery Valentine London said the condition made the flats "unsaleable" because potential buyers were put off. Residents of Salcombe said overturning the ban would create a "dangerous precedent" in holiday towns like Salcombe where nearly half of all dwellings are already second homes or holiday inspector said removing the principal residency condition would "undermine" the purpose of the policy to "redress the balance of an unquestionably high proportion of second or holiday homes in Salcombe".The inspector concluded the condition was "reasonable and necessary in the interest of ensuring the properties are only occupied as a principal residence".The town council said: "We want our streets to stay alive all year round, the school well-used, neighbours sharing a coffee and local shops and services supported by residents who call Salcombe home."Other coastal communities, like us with a substantial visitor economy and many houses not permanently occupied, have been closely watching this appeal. "This decision helps reinforce the shared importance of protecting space for permanent communities in areas under intense second-home demand." 'Not about exclusion' The council added: "We welcome everyone who loves Salcombe, whether you're here all year, some of the year, or just visiting. "What matters is that we work together to ensure Salcombe stays vibrant, resilient, and inclusive. "Supporting principal residence new homes is not about exclusion, it's about keeping the heart of Salcombe beating for generations to come."Valentine London declined to comment.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Demolition looms for ‘unapproved' £220k home that became eyesore
A Herefordshire builder faces having to demolish an incomplete house in a prominent spot following a planning wrangle going back a decade and a half. Martin Rohde believed he was entitled to build the house, which then became two semi-detached houses, at Duke's Walk by Leominster's Etnam Street car park. This was substantially built in 2018-19 – though Mr Rohde claimed work began on the site in 2011, meaning it could no longer be challenged, and sought a lawful development certificate confirming this. RELATED NEWS: Builder of half-built Leominster house threatened with jail or fines Is time up for Herefordshire 'eyesore' half-built homes? Builder tries again to redo half-built Herefordshire house But Herefordshire Council refused, saying there were 'significant anomalies' in Mr Rohde's account of this period. This led to him being issued with an enforcement notice in late 2019 to demolish the building, and with the building still standing, the council then sought a court injunction. The kitchen in the Duke's Walk house A planning appeal against the enforcement bought Mr Rohde some time. But this has now been refused a government-appointed planning inspector, who noted a 'surprising degree of consistency' between the several sworn statements supporting Mr Rohde's claims. The court had earlier ruled that in the event of this happening, the injunction order would be granted. This is now due come into force on July 14, from which Mr Rohde has two months to comply. The lounge in the Duke's Walk house 'So my choices are to demolish the house, to take the case to the High Court, or to try to sell it to someone else who might have more luck,' Mr Rohde said. The first course of action would mean writing off around £220,000 he has sunk into the project, he added. And while the case has dragged on, the house, which was '90 per cent built', has fallen into a forlorn state. Part of the roof is missing leading to weather damage, while intruders have repeatedly slipped through the fencing to squat or simply to smash it up. OTHER NEWS: Why this 11-home village scheme won't now be built New farm shop planned for this busy Herefordshire spot Pay up or face court, funeral firm told A spokesperson for the council said it 'will be monitoring progress on site over the coming months and is having discussions with Mr Rohde regarding possible alternative uses for the land'. They added: 'It is the developer's responsibility to ensure that the correct planning permission is in place before they begin a development. 'This include ensuring that development is started within the correct timescale and carried out in accordance with approved plans – neither of which has been done in this case.'
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Street shopping centre to be demolished for retirement flats
Plans to turn a shopping centre into a retirement community have been allowed on appeal.A planning inspector approved proposals for Crispin Centre in Street, Somerset, after a six-day appeal hearing, following a rejection from county councillors in July Living can now demolish the shopping centre, built in 1979, and construct a retirement complex in its place, with 45 apartments and 11 retirement Council had objected for reasons including a lack of parking, an unattractive design and possible damage to a historic mural at the centre featuring unusual buildings of the county. Churchill Living said the development was "in a sustainable location" and would deliver "tangible benefits" to the local permission was granted subject to a number of conditions, namely, that construction should begin no later than three years after the decision and the home should be for over-55s only. Churchill developed the Riverain Lodge retirement apartments in Taunton town centre. It secured planning permission in 2024 to deliver a similar development on a former police station site in Wells.A spokesman for Churchill Living said it was "frustrating" the application had to be decided at appeal despite "overwhelming community support" for the added it was "good news" for people living in and around Street as people moving into retirement housing will "unlock second-hand, family-sized homes" for others. "Retirement housing in town centre settings are shown to bring about increased footfall and expenditure in local shops and businesses," they added.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Dorset village development given go-ahead by inspector
Up to 120 new homes can be built in a village after a planning inspector gave them the homes and a new development for Marnhull, Dorset, including a food store with a cafe, offices and two flats, were given permission following an inquiry in shop complex will be built on land west of Church Hill, and the homes, which got outline permission, can be built on land off Butts Close and Schoolhouse Paul Crocker won a second appeal to build in Marnhull in less than a year, having won a first to build 67 homes there in July. Planning inspector Jonathan Bore said the schemes will "provide much needed housing, including affordable housing" and that they will bring "exceptionally important" benefits to the village. He approved the most recent plans following an inquiry held between 8 April and 17 April and a site visit. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dog care training field must 'cease' after planning appeal loss
A dog day care business in Jersey has been given nine months to "cease the use of its field for a canine training facility" after losing an appeal for retrospective planning 2024 the Barkley Club submitted plans for a new building and car park, and for a dog care and training centre near La Rue des Buttes, St Martin, but permission was planning inspector identified the loss of high-quality agricultural land and the potential for noise generated by barking dogs as two principle public support and two appeals, Constable Mike Jackson upheld the refusals for both the construction and the change of use to the field to the south of St Martin's Village. 'Nine-month compliance' Planning authorities said: "While the inspector acknowledged that the facility is professionally managed and meets a demand for dog care services, he concluded that these benefits did not outweigh the clear policy conflicts. "The site is identified as good quality agricultural land the loss of which could only be justified in exceptional circumstances under the policies set out in the Island Plan."It added: "The appeal against the refusal of retrospective planning permission to change the use of the field for a dog care and training centre has also been dismissed, and the enforcement notice upheld but with a revised nine-month compliance period."
