Harriet Townsend

Harriet is to represent Norwich City Council in the appeal against their refusal to discharge a goods condition at Sweet Briar Retail Park, and South Norfolk Council in the appeal against their non-determination of an application for a supermarket on Station Road in Wymondham.

The Compulsory Purchase Order was needed to deliver a scheme for the improvement of an existing privately run gypsy site by a registered Housing Association with HCA grant funding. Harriet Townsend represented the Order Making Authority at the inquiry into objections to the Order. The Order has not been confirmed, the Secretary of State accepting the landowner’s case that the site already meets a need for gypsy accommodation.

Three conjoined appeals were dismissed in relation to a transport and haulage yard in the countryside. Two of the appeals were against the Council’s refusal of certificates of lawful existing use, and the planning appeal sought permission for an unlawful transport and haulage use first enforced against in 1982.

Much of the evidence of fact was in dispute, as was the interpretation of some of the documentary evidence, and whether the uses for which certificates were sought were distinct primary uses or merely ancillary to the unlawful primary use of the overall planning unit at the relevant date.

Contentious planning issues at the inquiry included landscape impact – both character and appearance, and sustainability of the location. Financial contributions to sustainable transport initiatives were considered and found to be justified but not sufficient to outweigh the harm to the character and appearance of the area and the unsustainable location.

All the appeals were dismissed. Harriet Townsend acted for the local planning authority.

Enforcement appeal (4 day inquiry) brought by the designer and owner of a houseboat moored on the northern shore of Eel Pie Island, Twickenham.

The Appellant’s principal  arguments were that the residential use of the mooring was lawful and that planning permission should be granted. The Council argued that the “floating structure” was not a houseboat, and that the use offended Metropolitan Open Land and Conservation Area policies.

The Inspector found that ten years’ continuous use had not been proved and in the planning appeal found against the Appellant on Conservation Area grounds.

Harriet Townsend was instructed by CGMS and represented the Appellant.

Planning Appeal (1 day inquiry) in which Easy-Hotel sought planning permission for the conversion of part of an office block in Old Street, London, to an hotel. The principal issue was the loss of employment floorspace in relation to which the interpretation of local policy was in dispute. The Appellant was granted a partial award of costs on the question of coach parking in relation to which the Council brought no substantial evidence.

Harriet Townsend was instructed by Metropolis Planning and Design. She represented the Appellant at the inquiry and advised on the section 106 agreement.

The Welsh Assembly Government confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order of part of a terrace on the seafront promenade in Rhyl. The Order scheme will regenerate that part of Rhyl and complement the Ocean Beach regeneration strategy for the North Wales coast.

The Stowmarket Area Action Plan was submitted for examination in 2010. Harriet Townsend represented the local planning authority at the Exploratory Meeting at which the Inspector aired her concerns about the conduct of the SEA process and about conformity of the Action Plan with the adopted Core Strategy.

Planning appeal for storage of up to 200 caravans in a former agricultural field determined at an inquiry over three days in January 2011. The principal issues were the need for the development in a countryside location, economic and tourism development policy, and the impact on the landscape. The appeal was dismissed

Harriet Townsend represented the local planning authority.

Non statutory inquiry into an application to register Rumney Recreation Ground as a Town and Village Green. Harriet acted for Cardiff County Council as landowner objector.

Planning appeal heard at inquiry over seven days for major mixed use development including 111 flats, a care home and commercial floorspace (to include B1, A1 and A3 uses). The site is the former Inland Revenue Sorting Office in Kew. There were five main issues which concerned the adequacy of affordable housing provision, the scheme design, daylight standards, adequacy of amenity space, and consistency of the financial contributions with Regulation 122 of the CIL Regulations 2010. The Appeal was upheld on all grounds save one aspect of the scheme design and formed a helpful basis for a new submission to the local authority.

Harriet Townsend represented the Appellant.

Planning appeal heard at inquiry - development of flats by affordable housing provider on the constrained site of a former builders yard in Brighton. The issues included loss of employment land and the application of policy on the Code for Sustainable Homes. Harriet acted for Hyde Housing Association, the Applicant.

Harriet promoted a Compulsory Purchase Order for part of Ipswich Street designed to deliver a planned redevelopment and an extension to the primary retail frontage of Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk’s principal town. Objectors included the United Reformed Church whose building was to be amongst those acquired. Harriet also advised on achieving a successful scheme to re-locate the church satisfactorily.

Planning appeal heard at inquiry over four days for the demolition of buildings on an important site adjacent to Hove Park and redevelopment to provide 72 flats.

Enforcement appeal concerning the restoration of a clay extraction void that had been partially filled with unlawfully deposited waste, a fact which was hotly disputed by the Appellant in person and expert evidence called on his behalf. Harriet acted for the County planning authority.

An outline proposal for the redevelopment of 20 hectares of redundant railway land for mainly residential development in Newport was considered at inquiry. It raised significant regeneration policy issues.  Harriet acted for the Newport City Council who had refused permission on regeneration and on sustainable transport grounds.

Planning Appeal by Pelham Homes seeking outline permission for residential development (approximately 300 homes) and ancillary retail facilities on a Greenfield site outside Wymondham in South Norfolk District (and the Norwich Policy Area). The main issue was housing land supply and the erosion of a local gap between Wymondham and Hethersett. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.

Enforcement appeal concerning the use of a grass airstrip as an aerodrome. Issues included lawful use rights, impact on the conservation objectives of the nearby Special Protection Area, and noise. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.

Planning appeal by Notting Hill Home Ownership seeking permission for a development of flats adjacent to a canal in Ealing. Issues included the policy implications of the Metropolitan Open Land designation, the impact on the conservation area and a nearby Scheduled Ancient Monument. Harriet acted for the Appellant.

Enforcement appeal in which Starbucks were using a retail outlet as a mixed A1/A3 use within a protected shopping frontage. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.

Planning appeal by Bellway Homes seeking permission for residential development on a Greenfield site on the edge of Burton Latimer, Kettering. Housing land supply the main issue. Harriet acted for the Appellant.

Enforcement appeal by farmer who permitted the use of farmland for motocross and related activities. Issues included noise, highways, and landscape impact – as well as the scope and effect of permitted development rights. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.

Major regeneration project on employment land in a quayside location within a deprived area of Lowestoft required assembly of land already in economic use to deliver new offices for two local authorities, and facilities for CEFAS (research body related to DEFRA). Harriet acted for the Acquiring Authority.

Planning appeal for redevelopment of three houses to provide 20 flats in three blocks in Lightwater, Surrey. Issues included the adequacy of private amenity space, and impact on the nearby Thames Basin Heaths SPA. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.

Planning appeal by McCarthy and Stone who sought planning permission for apartments on a site identified within the Plan for town centre expansion. Harriet acted for the local planning authority.