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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld9 May 20233230219

Land at Alba Stables (aka Alba Stables, aka Hunts Farm & Stables), Bridge Way, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 1HW

- Within the last four (4) years and without planning permission, the formation of hardstanding. - With [sic] the last four (4) years and without planning permission, the erection of walls, gates and piers

Authority
Elmbridge Borough Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Inquiry
Development
other · Other minor developments
Inspector
Saward K

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • The main issue is whether the Council's decision to refuse to grant a LDC for part of the development applied for was well-founded.
  • This ground of appeal is that the alleged breach of planning control has not occurred as a matter of fact.
  • The ground of appeal is that at the time the notice was issued it was too late to take enforcement action.
  • The ground of appeal is that the time given to comply with the requirements of the notice falls short of what should reasonably be allowed.

What decided it

The appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof, on the balance of probabilities, of continuous unauthorised use or substantial completion of operations throughout the relevant statutory immunity periods, and where a legal/factual ground (planning unit) succeeded in part, the notice was corrected rather than quashed as no injustice arose.

Framework references: 58

Judgments cited: Fidler v FSS & Reigate Banstead BC 2004 EWCA Civ 1295; Burdle v SSE [1972] 3 All E.R. 240; Gregory & others v SSE & another [1990] 60 P&CR 413; Swale Borough Council v SSE [2005] EWCA Civ 1568; Gravesham BC v SSE & O'Brien [1983] JPL 306; London Borough of Islington v SSHCLG and Maxwell Estates Ltd [2019] EWHC 2691 (Admin); Crawley Borough Council v Hickmet Ltd [1998] 75 P&CR 55

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every other appeal around it, with the full reasoning summary, the letter held on file, and the case law it applies.