Tactics of Appealing to the DOE - There will be times in any Design Agents
career when a clients scheme will be refused Planning Permission. Fortunately,
our experience is now at a point when we can normally forecast these schemes
and steer the client away from that design solution. Clients that wish to
pursue these contentious schemes are at least forewarned of the likely outcome
so that we can formulate a 'plan of attack' for the next phase of the extension
or development. Many clients seem to want to drive head first to the Appeal
route directly after refusal - IN MOST CASES THIS IS NOT A WISE DECISION
and IT CAN AFFECT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT VIABILITY OF YOUR SITE.
Now many of us 'Agents' have varying views on this mainly because many Agents
specialise in appeal work and it amounts for a large proportion of their
fees - these agents would have you appeal ing at the drop of a hat. I can
only speak from my own experiences and DOE appeal results. It should always
be remembered that the national average on appeal success is still only around
30%. In other words the odds of winning are always against you to begin with.
Without doubt, most extension and development schemes can be adjusted or
redesigned in some way to overcome the reasons for refusal. Many clients
are blinded by this fact and see their current proposal (now refused) as
an 'all or nothing' type of scheme. Most Design Agents will be able to come
up with an an amended scheme that will get around the main refusal reason(s)
and this is were they often score over the DIY householder submitting their
own schemes. Yes you will have to accept that the fourth new bedroom has
a bit less space or the second ensuite has to be omitted or the lowered roof
line looks a little odd etc..etc....BUT, HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NO LOAF
as the saying goes. Now, this new approval for an amended scheme has several
tactical advantages - let me explain.
Firstly, The site benefits from an approval. From a marketing point of view
you have not left a big question mark over extending the property or developing
the site. Remember, future purchasers of your property may also want to extend
or develop in that identified area so why leave it in a negative state that
often means not getting proper market value.
Secondly, once a client has obtained an approval, its amazing how quick they
realise how close they came to 'cutting off their nose to spite their face'
and the scheme isn't that bad after all - so it gets built - everyone's happy.
Thirdly, if the client really finds that the amended scheme is not for them
then at least it sets a positive framework for the DOE appeal. This is because
most elements of the original refused scheme are now likely to have been
approved in the new revised scheme. This now focuses the reasons for reasons
for refusal upon the 'extra' element that the original scheme had. Its like
having the Appeal Inspector only having to approve the remaining 10% and
his question that he has to resolve is does this extra 10% justify withholding
Planning Permission? It is my opinion that the refused scheme has a better
chance of being overturned at appeal when there is already an approval in
place for a similar scheme.
Going to appeal without some sort of current approval in place via a negotiated
scheme with the Planners could have a detrimental effect on your chances
at appeal.
Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the tactics of
appealing and how best to set the course to give yourself the best chance
of winning an appeal. There are some reals do's and don't's that must be
implemented. There can be some serious consequences if your appeal fails
that you must be made aware of before embarking on the DOE Appeal route.
Planning Permssion and Planning Approval.