PlanningBlog – Brodies LLP

This is a tale of 2 sites (not competing) - one in a town centre, therefore strongly supported by national policy, and recommended for approval by officers; the other is out of centre, and opposed by officers.

You’ve probably already guessed that the latter site has been granted planning permission, and the former refused. No wonder consent risk is said to be such a significant issue in Britain.

The first site is Tesco’s in Milngavie (where I grew up). Although the officers recommended approval, the councillors refused permission. Tesco appealed. The reporter has refused planning permission. Although the design was “carefully considered” and “shows many aspects of high quality”, other aspects fell short, and would be damaging to the setting of a listed building. So – tried very hard, but not good enough.

In contrast, the councillors in Edinburgh have granted permission for an out of centre retail development at Inglis Green Road, which according to the press is to be a Sainsburys store. The council officers had recommended refusal on retail policy grounds, transportation and impact on a listed building. The store will replace a former B and Q, and a factory unit.

These examples show post-reform councillors continue to have a lot of influence over planning decisions. True, the reporter turned down Tesco, but he only had the opportunity because the councillors decided to overturn their officers recommendation.