Full award of costs in granting permission for major development in Bromsgrove

A planning Inspector (Richard Clegg) has allowed an appeal for around 500 homes by Catesby Estates Limited and Miller Homes, and made a full award of costs on the basis that the local planning authority, Bromsgrove BC, had unreasonably delayed the grant of consent for development contrary to the NPPG costs guidance. Contrary to the view of the officers, the Highways Authority and the LPA’s own appointed highways consultants, the LPA deferred a decision on the application, requiring further details of highways impacts to be provided. Catesby and Miller appealed for non-determination, and the Inspector on the appeal found that there was no basis for a finding that the scheme would give rise to a severe adverse cumulative highways impact, and that the LPA had acted unreasonably in withholding permission. The Inspector also rejected objections on highways grounds from a local group, Whitford Vale Voice, and a local Councillor. Rupert Warren QC appeared for Catesby and Miller, instructed by Framptons. Click here for the Appeal Decision and the Costs Decision.