Case Studies, Planning Appeals, Planning Applications
Brownfield redevelopment, Residential Development

Waller Planning led a multi-disciplinary team in preparing proposals for the redevelopment of a brownfield site in Welwyn Garden City, which contained a single-storey commercial vehicle dealership. Working with Bryant and Moore Architects, we developed proposals for an apartment block on the site, which sought to replace the commercial buildings with 111 residential apartments. This involved pre-application discussions with the Council’s Planning Officers, and public consultation with local people, which led to the refinement of the design prior to the application being submitted. 

This application responded to an acknowledged shortfall in the supply of housing land, in the context of lengthy delays in the adoption of the Council’s new Local Plan. Meanwhile, there was no continuing demand for the site’s historic use as a car dealership. The site was within an allocated employment area, but it did not have an established employment use. 

The proposals were supported by the Council’s Planning Officers, but not by the Planning Committee, who refused the application. The reasons for refusal related to (1) the height and scale of the buildings, (2) the loss of allocated employment land, (3) inadequate levels of car parking and (4) the mix of accommodation. 

We appealed the Council’s refusal, and Tim Waller appeared at a Hearing, alongside leading Counsel Peter Goatley KC, and witnesses from Allen Pyke Associates and Stantec. The Inspector allowed the appeal, and awarded costs against the Council for their unreasonable behaviour in relation to reasons for refusal 3 and 4.