Preserving the natural beauty of scenic areas has always been a central objective of planning policy. However, as a Court of Appeal ruling showed, such considerations cannot always be decisive when the economic benefits of job creation and tourism are put into the balance. The
Some of the nation’s grandest estates rely on use restrictions in leases as a crucial part of their long-term management strategies. That factor was decisive in stymying plans to open a Japanese-style pod hotel in the heart of a 90-acre central London estate which has
It is for local authorities to ensure that non-domestic rating lists are accurate and up to date and businesses are under no obligation to point out errors. The High Court made that point in ruling that one such mistake entitled an IT company, at least
Preserving the environment is a central objective of the planning system. However, in one case, the Court of Appeal rejected arguments that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was required before comparatively modest proposals to build 150 new homes could be granted planning permission. The 4.6-hectare
Residential landlords who fail to meet their extensive legal obligations put themselves at risk of severe financial consequences and reliance on the advice of professional letting agents is no defence. In a case on point, an otherwise responsible private landlord who let a house in
Legal documents that are not stored with a solicitor have a tendency to get lost and, if that happens, there can be hell to pay. In a High Court case on point, a dispute between a property developer and the owner of a country weddings
Preservation of heritage assets is an important objective of the planning regime and even minimal harm to their setting will be weighed in the balance against developers. The High Court made that point in overturning planning permission granted for a food store within sight of
There are roads and there are highways, but is there any real distinction between the two that can be legally defined? The High Court addressed that important issue in a case of interest to property and planning professionals. A property developer obtained outline planning permission
The difference between a public and a private place may seem obvious, but making that important distinction can be far trickier than one might imagine. The High Court confronted the issue in a case concerning a car park which had no barriers but was replete
Consistency is the mark of good official decision-making and that is particularly so in the context of planning decisions. The High Court made that point in breathing new life into a proposal to build 135 new homes on the outskirts of a market town. The
