Planning Appeals and Expert Witness for Leisure Businesses
The GVA Humberts Leisure Planning team has expertise in dealing with all types of planning appeal, including providing expert witness at Planning Inquiries. Some of cases in which we have represented clients are illustrated below.
Wylands International Angling Centre, East Sussex
Co-ordination of leisure planning appeal and other witnesses including our own planning inquiry expert witness to secure outline planning permission for central café and facilities building, 15 fishermen's cabins, new manager's dwelling and workshop at 460 peg competition and leisure angling centre in the Sussex countryside and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Proposed Holiday Lodge Village, Tavistock
Tourist accommodation need assessment and expert witness on the need for holiday lodges at a proposed holiday village on the edge of Tavistock, close to, but not within, the Dartmoor National Park at a planning inquiry to hear an appeal against the refusal of an application for 50 holiday lodges. The Inspector found in favour of the proposal in part due to the evidence we presented under cross-examination.
Doward Park, Herefordshire
Written representations appeal in order to secure permanent permission for a warden's accommodation lodge at this existing camping and caravan park. The LPA were not satisfied of the functional need for the home. Our case referenced security, need for customer supervision, lack of available/affordable residential properties close to the site and benefits to the viability of the existing business & the local economy.
Avon Forest Spa and Lodges, South Hampshire
Tourist accommodation planning permission for seven holiday lodges in the Green Belt, but with conditions. An appeal was submitted against the imposition of a condition restricting holiday stays to a maximum of 28 days, with no return in 42 days, which limits the use of the lodges for 'weekends away'.
Expert witness on the need for Football Pitches
Playing pitch assessment and expert witness at a planning inquiry to ascertain whether loss of football pitches at a South East London site would leave sufficient playing fields to satisfy the recreational needs of the community. Our assessment had regard to the Sport England Planning Pitch Strategy and the companion guide to PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation.
Tennis Court Need Assessment & Expert Witness
Playing pitch assessment and expert witness at a planning inquiry on whether a change of use of a 3-court tennis club would leave sufficient tennis facilities to satisfy the recreational needs and demands of the community as per PPG17, Sport England and Lawn Tennis Association strategy documents. The inspector allowed the appeal in part due to our evidence on the oversupply of tennis courts in the catchment area.
Key Contacts
Martin Taylor,
martin.taylor(at)gva.co.uk +44 (0)20 7911 2220
Simon Davis,
simon.davis(at)gva.co.uk +44 (0)20 7911 2230
Debbie Marriage,
debbie.marriage(at)gva.co.uk +44 (0)20 7911 2241
Rachel Whaley,
rachel.whaley(at)gva.co.uk +44 (0)113 280 8081