Errors of East Riding Council planners 'costing every taxpayer'
Property developer Wayne Low has branded a council planning department "not fit for purpose". Wayne Low, director of Richmond Properties (UK) Limited, has been developing land in the area for more than 20 years and is calling for an independent inquiry, after winning his latest appeal.
He claims the authority's planning set-up is "not fit for purpose", after he successfully appealed their refusal of his application to build a single new home in Beverley. Not only have I persuaded a government inspector to overturn the council's decision, I have also been awarded costs," he said.
Mr Low had submitted an application to build a detached house on land to the rear of 29 Church Road in Molescroft, Beverley, but the council raised concerns over the impact the property might have on the character of the area and neighbouring homes and the proposed access. The inspector concluded it would not "erode the existing character and appearance of the wider area".
It's time people realised that every time this happens, it is putting even more strain on the council's coffers. In other words, the planning department's error-strewn decisions are costing every taxpayer in the East Riding.
What could be spent on essential road maintenance, school repairs and equipment and even care for the elderly is being squandered on bad planning decisions that are being overturned on appeal
It's good to have won the appeal, but I'm not happy this is costing taxpayers large amounts of money or with the behaviour of some of East Riding's planning officers. I'm not saying they are staging a vendetta against me or my company, but there is a core within the planning department that is not fit for purpose.
In this matter, officers also acted contrary to national planning guidelines and there were no objections to my proposal from any local residents or the statutory bodies. I had no option but to appeal the council's decision on the basis that it had acted unreasonably.
I talk to many architects and planners, all of whom share this view, but no one dares say it in public for fear that their future applications will be refused.
I am prepared to stand up and be counted and feel it is time for an independent inquiry to be held into the competence of this department before its mistakes cost taxpayers even more money.
Wayne LowCEO & Director - Richmond Properties Uk Ltd
Pete Ashcroft, head of planning and development management at East Riding Council, said: "The council notes the planning inspector's decision on this appeal, which involved a balanced judgment of how the development affected the character and appearance of the area and the living conditions of both the existing adjacent residents and the future occupants of the proposed dwelling.
"Under planning law, applicants have the option to appeal a decision and the council, like all planning authorities across the country, receives a number of appeals each year and successfully defends about two-thirds of these."
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