This is a fine example of standing your ground in the face of a planning authority’s insistence that documents be provided in support of a planning application which are out of all proportion to that application.

The client applied for planning permission to change the use of part of a substantial classic old building to tie in with a beautiful rooftop development. The use sought was multi functional including restaurant, bar, event space and exhibition and conference space. The planning authority took an excessive period of time to determine the application and were seeking detailed experts reports relating to transport. The reports sought were of an order of magnitude far greater than the application merited and would have related to the largest type of development possible. I resisted this and presented perfectly acceptable expert evidence which was rejected by the LPA. The matter was appealed to the Secretary of State who has agreed with us and found the evidence perfectly adequate and granted the appeal and therefore the application.

This paves the way for an exciting and edgy performance and entertainment space in the heart of a vibrant area of Hackney and in the centre of a stress area where the council would not normally grant such applications.

Its a lesson to stand firm and hold your ground when the LPA seek more information than is necessary and to have confidence that the evidence you place before them is satisfactory in terms of what the planning policies require.