Mrsmedhurst Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 On 16/01/2021 at 03:18, Temp said: Only had a quick look and the alternative to paying is in section 5.2 but 5.1 says they prefer cash. However doing your own mitigation might end up costing more as you would probably have to pay Natural England or a recommended consultant to draw up a proposal and impact statement for you. Thank you for having a browse, that’s what we thought. Mitigating sum it is, if we can just get them to take our money! On 16/01/2021 at 03:27, Temp said: I noticed that its a consultation document so might not yet be official policy. Appeal Inspectors are allowed to take such documents into account. However it may mean you are one of the first to go through it. I would start searching the database for other recent planning applications to see if you can find out what the going rate is. yes frustratingly it came to consultation after our application was in. And I think because it is new there’s still a lot of confused people. Have been scouring resent applications, will continue in hopes someone suddenly knows what to do! In the meanwhile the plan now is to go ahead as you suggest with the note in the covering letter. Fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 Best best is to drop a few thousand on a proper planning consultant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 On 16/01/2021 at 04:41, Ferdinand said: If the Environmental Scheme was not actually in operation at the time of Appeal it should imo not have been refused on that basis. But if that is the case it looks like a right battle to get that turned over. And it is probably a better practical option to get the Council to accept a payment, as the other arguments about planning principle and "where horses may safely graze" have now been won. If the payment is not prohibitive. They must want the money, so they should know how they want it to work. Could you try asking the Officer or the Head of Planning directly, or getting your Councillor to do so. (Bear in mind possible elections in May in your area, which may distract councillor.) Ferdinand The policy was still in consultation at the time of appeal, it came into place after our original application frustratingly. I have seen another appeal where the policy was a condition rather than a reason for dismissal, must be a luck of the draw on the inspector front. Saying that we were lucky he was sensible on the horsey front! have emailed in hope of more specific guidance and clarification but nothing as yet. It seems covid has closed the phone lines...sigh! Plan so far is to go ahead as temp suggests with a note in the covering letter expressing our wish to enter into the agreement and pay the mitigating sum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted January 17, 2021 Author Share Posted January 17, 2021 On 16/01/2021 at 08:53, PeterW said: That’s not strictly correct, as it depends on the usage class of the land. If the land is used for grazing only - that is they are turned out and are not being exercised or fed additionally - then horses are classed the same as any other grazing animal. Any field shelters have to be moveable and not permanently sited. If you exercise the horses in the field, provide coats and covers or substantial additional feed then they are counted as recreational animals and the usage law changes. If you want to confuse the council even further, just stick a couple of sheep in the field with the horses and at that point it really muddies the water !! Interestingly, additionally a rug and some forage may be provided in certain circumstances under DEFRAS Welfare code of practice. Much as shelter and hay or straw can be provided to grazing sheep or cattle in harsh winter months for instance. A legal duty of care to the horse for its welfare does not amount to equestrianism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 13 minutes ago, Mrsmedhurst said: I have seen another appeal where the policy was a condition rather than a reason for dismissal, Thing is they aren't meant to grant permission subject to agreeing an S106 contribution in the future. The thinking goes... How can they approve an application when essential mittigation hasnt been agreed? For this reason appeals in the past have ruled that S106 agreements should be considered alongside the planning application. S106 payments are even considered "voluntary" because in theory you have other ways of mitigating the impact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 You should also check if self builders are exempt from S106 contributions. Thats been the subject of many legal challenges since 2014. Might be they can't make you pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted January 17, 2021 Share Posted January 17, 2021 https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/section-106 "..it was decided that where a new Local Plan has been adopted after 28 November 2014 (when the exemption was introduced) this outweighs the Section 106 exemption." So if your local plan is older that 2014 you might be exempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 Thank you Temp, sorry it took me a little while to look into your suggestion. I believe sadly the local plan was updated fairly recently. It’s very interesting reading although quite over my head! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 17/01/2021 at 21:58, Temp said: You should also check if self builders are exempt from S106 contributions. Thats been the subject of many legal challenges since 2014. Might be they can't make you pay. Sarah Beeny wasn't ! It may be a more convenient way of getting what you want than any alternative. You just need to make sure you don't put them in a position to just name their price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 “Prior Approval Required and Granted”!!! Thank you all for your help and comments on this thread, which proved very helpful. Today we received the best possible outcome and are thrilled! On to the next challenge of seeing through the development, very exciting and daunting all the same! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSB Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Glad you were successful, I was in a very similar position and got through eventually. And thankfully the horses are still happily grazing in our fields. Good luck, keep us up to date with your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Good to hear @Mrsmedhurst. Did you do this? On 12/01/2021 at 18:54, Mr Punter said: Yes. Submit the same scheme but include the offer to pay the environmental scheme money. It sounds like you are pushing at an open door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 Thank you LSB. Happy to hear your horses are still happily grazing, ours are too wonderfully! Not sure what they will make of all the fuss going on in the coming months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSB Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Just now, Mrsmedhurst said: Thank you LSB. Happy to hear your horses are still happily grazing, ours are too wonderfully! Not sure what they will make of all the fuss going on in the coming months! we have been banging around in the barn, removing the old roof to strengthen it and they just come and looked. They did move to their 'summer' field last week so not near by now, but they didn't mind at all, quite enjoyed the entertainment I think, but they are not worry heads and actually like watching fireworks. I hope yours are just as chilled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Mr Punter said: Good to hear @Mrsmedhurst. Did you do this? Yes, that’s exactly what we did, thank you! We included a covering letter stating clearly that we understood a payment was needed and that we wished to pay as soon as possible. And brilliantly they let us make the payment nice and early on, phew! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsmedhurst Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 2 minutes ago, LSB said: we have been banging around in the barn, removing the old roof to strengthen it and they just come and looked. They did move to their 'summer' field last week so not near by now, but they didn't mind at all, quite enjoyed the entertainment I think, but they are not worry heads and actually like watching fireworks. I hope yours are just as chilled. Haha! Ours are much the same, you wave a carrier bag and they just want to see if there is anything interesting inside. I think they will definitely enjoy the entertainment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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