Sustainable Rural Employment Delivers Planning Success.

Robinson and Hall’s Planning department have successfully overturned a recommendation for refusal at planning committee to gain full planning consent for a veterinary surgery in a rural village in Bedfordshire. 
Elizabeth Smith’s Veterinary Surgery had been operating from the village site under a temporary consent gained by Robinson and Hall LLP last year.  When an application was submitted for full planning in March this year it was met with a negative response from the planning department at Central Bedfordshire.  The Development Management Officer commented that the proposal was contrary to policy and should be sited within a town centre location.
On 27 May the application was brought in front of the Central Bedfordshire Development Management Committee, one of the first times the Councillors had convened since the Unitary Authority was set up in April.  Andrew Barr, head of planning at Robinson and Hall LLP spoke at the committee as the planning consultant in support of the application.  After the event he commented “following a lengthy debate the majority of counsellors decided that this was an extremely suitable and sustainable location for the veterinary centre and the rural employment which it will generate.”  He continued “This is a very positive result for rural businesses and communities who are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain development in their areas due to the location not being seen as ‘sustainable’ by the Local Authorities. Our clients are delighted with this decision which safeguards the future of the Veterinary Practice and the valuable service it provides to the community.”
If you would like to contact Robinson and Hall’s Planning and Development department regarding any property with planning potential or any planning issue that needs resolving please contact Andrew Barr at Bedford (01234 352201) or David Brooks at Ipswich (01473 831531) and the team would be happy to discuss your requirements.