Planning appeal decisions relating to Arun ‘confusing and conflicting’

Arun District Council’s decisions to reject plans for a crematorium in Yapton and seven homes in East Preston were overturned by a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

His ruling could leave the council out of pocket by as much as £33,000.

At a meeting of the cabinet last week (Monday January 11), members recommended that the planning budget be supplemented up to that amount.

While the inspector’s reports accused the council of demonstrating ‘unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary or wasted expense’, members of the development control committee did not agree.

Ricky Bower (Con, East Preston) pointed out that, when it came to the East Preston application, which was refused in February, the committee had made its decision based on the requirements laid out in the council’s new policy on parking standards.

The planning inspector chose not to apply those standards.

Mr Bower added: “Planning inspectors are only human and they do not always get it right. We have to react to that by taking it on the chin quite often.

“I accept that there are costs involved here but that is not a matter that we as a planning authority have any control over whatsoever.”

Martin Lury, cabinet member for planning, told the meeting that appeals often varied based on which inspector was assigned.

While these two cases were rejected by one inspector, another recently ruled in the council’s favour three times in a row.

Gill Yeates, cabinet member for community wellbeing, described the decisions as ‘confusing and conflicting’.

The full council meeting will start at 6pm and can be watched online via www.arun.gov.uk