Dorset Council (Weymouth & Portland): Neil McKeon of Pure Town Planning has secured an appeal win for a 7 unit apartment building on Preston Road, Weymouth. PTP submitted the application, designed by David James Architects & Partners Ltd for Nylo Homes, for the demolition of the existing dilapidated bungalow and erection of a contemporary design flatted development. Due to Town Council and neighbour objections, the proposal was brought before June’s Northern Area Planning Committee.

Despite the support from respective Officers, Councillors voted to refuse the application in respect to scale, bulk and mass and how the proposal would harm neighbouring amenity and the character and appearance of the area. PTP challenged the Planning Committee’s decision with a robust appeal statement – which the Planning Inspectorate has subsequently allowed and granted full planning permission.

The Inspector acknowledged that the siting and scale of the scheme would not create detrimental harm to the privacy or amenity of neighbouring properties on all sides. Although clearly a much larger, modern design, three storey building than that of the existing bungalow, the Inspector did not regard it as overdevelopment, nor creating a dominant or overbearing presence in Preston Road streetscene – thereby allowing the appeal.

Following the initial decision at Planning Committee, this appeal win is extremely welcomed news to the applicant and vindicates the core principles and planning merits of the proposal. If you have have a potential residential scheme, or received a refusal from the Council and are considering your next steps in terms of appeal, please call us or email us and we will appraise the scheme and advise you on how best to proceed.