Birdman69

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated. One of the reasons for the original refusal was that they have adequate parking within 1 min walk of the playing field, so it was considered unnecessary. Parking on field happens on a weekly basis. It is also common knowledge locally that the college has always maintained that they would build houses on the field eventually, despite constant opposition from residents and councillors. I guess my confusion and disbelief lies with the following sequence of events - 1. Application 1 was for an access road and parking. 2. Application 1 was refused as detailed above. 3. College permitted parking on the field despite not having permission, 4. Application 2 (different from App 1) submitted. 5. Request for enforcement notice by residents. 6. Council say that App 2 includes parking for a sports pavilion so can't issue enforcement notice. 7. App 2 refused. 8. College still permits parking on the field. 9. Request (again) for enforcement notice by residents. 10. Council says applicant my appeal App 2 refusal so can't issue an enforcement notice. The college has no permission to park on the field so why can't enforcement happen? Thanks.

Hi, Some years ago a local private college applied for planning permission to build on a playing field, to include parking facilities. The application was refused by the local council. Since then, the college has regularly allowed visitors to the playing field to park on it and we have photographic evidence of this. After contacting the council, asking them to enforce the original refusal, they agreed. But then reversed that decision saying that as the college had subsequently applied to build some houses on the land, they were unable to serve an enforcement notice. The new application (for houses) has also now been refused but the council are still saying that they can do nothing because the applicant may appeal the refusal. How can this be non-enforceable because a planning application has been submitted? To me, this sounds ridiculous, so I'm here hoping to gain wider (expert) opinion, as the local council have proved themselves not to be the brightest in the past... It strikes me that it's similar to saying the Dept. of Transport are in discussion with the PM about increasing the motorway speed limit to 90mph, so we can all drive at 90mph until the decision is made - after any appeal of course! Thanks.