Planning Appeal Advice

[Deejay_2]

A block of 8 flats was refused permission and is now going to Appeal.  This is close to where we live and we along with many many others and the Parish Council submitted objections. 

 

The Planning Officers  approved the application but were overruled by the Committee members.   All the paraphenalia has now been put on the Planning website and letters sent out to all objectors informing them of the Appeal.  I have done some research and it seems in these circumstances there is little chance of the Inspector rejecting the appeal. The following is from a House of Commons publication

 

"The planning consultancy Lichfields published a report in August 2018, Refused for good reason?, which found that residential schemes refused against the recommendation of planning officers were more likely than others to be allowed at appeal. The report looked at appeals on residential proposals decided in 2017 in England, Wales and Scotland. It found that 65% of appeals that had been refused by a planning committee against officers’ recommendations were allowed, compared with 40% of appeals where refusals were in line with officers’ recommendations."

 

Presumably it's up to the Councillors to defend their decision - I can't see how the qualified officers would be allowed to help.    The developer has appointed a Planning Consultant etc and has put up what seems to be a very good case.  Does anyone know how the process works eg

• will the Councillors be afforded a Planning Consultant or other type of representation 
• is there anything the objectors can do such as appointing a planning consultant, or are we now just bystanders. 
• The local authority letter states that all the objections will be sent to the Planning Inspector for consideration and objectors can re-submit their particular objection to the Inspectorate with additional information if they so wish but I am not sure whether there is anything else we can do.

 

Has anyone had any experience of this type of situation.  A lot of residents sent in objections and are now wondering what the next step is where we are concerned.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.