News and Resources
Below is a selection of news items, case notes, articles, books and papers authored by members of Chambers.
There is also a separate Archive of Inspector’s Reports in respect of applications to register new town or village greens.
Birmingham Lap Dancing Club Fails in Bid to Relicence
Paradise City has failed in its attempt to obtain an SEV ( sex encounter venue) licence for a site at premises that had previously been licensed as Legs 11 and traded from two sites in Birmingham: Broad Street and Ladywell Walk. Both licences were revoked in 2017 at the request of West Midlands Police following allegations of a catalogue of licence breaches (including the “no touching rule”), together with allegations of fraud committed against customers. It was also said that customers had been drugged and assaulted by door staff. Read more
The Court of Appeal has Upheld the Decision to Quash an Inspector’s Decision Based on His Misinterpretation of Permissively Worded Development Plan Policies
In Gladman Developments Ltd v Canterbury City Council [2019] EWCA Civ 669 a strong Court of Appeal comprising the Master of the Rolls, Lindblom LJ and Floyd LJ, has upheld the decision of Dove J to quash the grant of planning permission for a housing development in Canterbury, on the basis of the Inspector’s misinterpretation of planning policy. Read more
Court Dismisses Bermondsey Beer Mile Appeal
The “Bermondsey Beer Mile” in the London Borough of Southwark has become famous, or infamous (depending on one’s perspective), for the number of micro-breweries and tap-rooms that have set up in recent years under the railway arches in Druid Street close to London Bridge station. It attracts groups of (mainly) men who sample their delights one after the other. Unsurprisingly, this has led to varying degrees of sobriety and drunkenness, usually good-humoured, but still impactful on the locality nonetheless. The residents who live in estates opposite the railway arches are, equally unsurprisingly, less enamoured. They have experienced the cumulative impact of this activity in the form of public nuisance, anti-social behaviour and general disturbance on a weekly basis. Read more
Permission Granted on Appeal for Metro Bank Shop Front and ATM in Leicester Town Centre
Planning permission has been granted on appeal to Metro Bank for the installation of a new glazed two storey shopfront and ATM in Leicester town centre. The proposed development site is the southernmost corner of the former Littlewood store building. Of significance is Metro Bank’s business model which seeks to locate its stores in prominent town centre locations with double height frontages where possible. In the present case, if permission had not been granted, Metro Bank had given evidence that it would not continue with its proposals to open a store in Leicester Town Centre. Read more
Upper Tribunal Gives Decision in Rare Case on Minerals Valuation for Rating
In one of the very few recent decisions dealing with the valuation for rating of a minerals hereditament, the Upper Tribunal has dismissed the ratepayer’s appeal in Cemex (UK) Operations Ltd v O’Dwyer (Valuation Officer) [2019] UKUT 106 (the Deputy President Martin Rodger QC and Peter McCrea FRICS). Read more
Success for FTB Women
The Planning Law Survey 2019: Best of the barristers was published yesterday. In the Top Rated Silks category, all three women QCs in practice at the Planning Bar are ranked: Morag Ellis QC, Suzanne Ornsby QC and Saira Kabir Sheikh QC – all of whom are members at FTB. Read more
Planning Law Survey 2019 - Counsel of Choice
Francis Taylor Building is delighted with Planning magazine’s Planning Law Survey 2019. With 13 silks and 15 juniors named in the survey, Francis Taylor Building’s barristers remain counsel of choice for many. Read more
Permission Granted on Appeal for up to 55 Homes Including 1.56ha of SANG at Land at Parklands in Spencers Wood Wokingham
Appeal Ref: APP/X0360/W/18/3204133 Inspector: Nick Palmer BA (Hons) BPI MRTPI Read more
High Court Gives Go Ahead to Voter ID Pilots
The High Court has ruled that the Cabinet Office's proposals to pilot voter identification requirements in the May 2019 local elections are lawful (R(oao Coughlan) v Cabinet Office [2019] EWHC 641 (Admin)). The pilots will require voters to produce prescribed forms of photographic or other identification before they can receive their ballot. If deemed a success the requirements could be rolled out nationally in all future local elections. Read more
High Court Upholds Planning Permission for Scheme Amended Without Consultation
The High Court has today handed down judgment in R (Broad) v Rochford DC [2019] EWHC 628 (Admin), upholding the Council's decision to grant planning permission for an amended development proposal without further consultation. Read more