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.
Important Court of Appeal Judgment on “Isolated Homes” and National Heritage Policy
The Court of Appeal has dismissed City & Country’s appeal in the Bramshill case. It is an important judgment, because the appeal raised questions on the interpretation and application of policies in the National Planning Policy Framework against the development of “isolated homes in the countryside” and on the assessment of harm and benefit to “heritage assets”. Read more
Permission Refused on Multiple Grounds for Mixed-Use Out of Town Retail Development in Sutton in Ashfield
A Planning Inspector has dismissed a planning appeal for a proposed mixed-use development, comprising a drive through Burger King, multiple retail units and a lorry fuelling and EV station on the Castlewood Grange Business Park in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Read more
Planning Silks, Suzanne Ornsby QC and Saira Kabir Sheikh QC Recognised as Women of Influence 2021 on International Women’s Day
Chambers is delighted that Suzanne Ornsby QC and Saira Kabir Sheikh QC have been included in The Planner’s Women of Influence 2021 list for their contribution to planning over the past year. Read more
Supreme Court Grants Permission to Hear Challenge to Voter ID Plans
The Supreme Court has granted permission to the Appellant in R (on the application of Coughlan) v Minister for the Cabinet Office in his challenge to the pilots of the Government’s plans to introduce voter ID requirements in all elections. Read more
St Helena Supreme Court Strikes Out Fuel Station Damages Claim Against Ascension Island Government
The Supreme Court of St Helena has struck out claims brought against the Ascension Island Government arising out of AIG’s service of statutory notices on the operator of the sole fuel station on Ascension Island, Solomon & Co (St Helena) Plc. The claims alleged misfeasance in public office, malicious falsehood, breach of contract and unlawful interference with economic interests after AIG served notices requiring Solomons to address health and safety issues regarding the fuel station. AIG successfully applied for strike out on the basis that the claims disclosed no reasonable cause of action, amounted to an abuse of process in that they attempted to bypass statutory time limits for appealing the notices, and in one respect were statute-barred. Read more
Permission Granted in Thurston PC Neighbourhood Plan Based JR of Bloor Homes PP
Mrs Justice Lang has granted permission to apply for judicial review on all grounds in Thurston Parish Council’s claim against Mid Suffolk Council challenging the grant of planning permission to Bloor Homes for a development of 210 units outside the settlement boundary established in the Parish’s recently made Thurston Neighbourhood Plan. Read more
Francis Taylor Building is Founding Member of Bridging the Bar
Chambers is delighted to be a Founding Member of Bridging the Bar (BTB), a charity founded in April 2020 and committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity within the Bar of England and Wales at all professional levels. Read more
Court of Appeal Rejects Footpath Diversion Challenge
The Court of Appeal has upheld the judgment of Lieven J rejecting a challenge to an inspector’s decision to confirm a public path diversion order moving a footpath in Little Rollright, Oxfordshire, away from a private manor house on the grounds of privacy. Read more
Judgment Has Been Handed Down by Mrs Justice Thornton in Crest Nicholson V West Berkshire District Council [2021] EWHC 289 (Admin).
The case is the first to be decided under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 which came into force in May 2019. Read more
High Court Grants Permission to Challenge New Street Trading Policy
HHJ Cooke (sitting as deputy) has granted permission for an application for a judicial review brought by two street traders against Birmingham City Council’s new street trading policy. The policy is designed to improve the consumer offer and environment of street trading in the city centre. To obtain a consent, which traders must reapply for annually, applications will be assessed on, amongst other things, how “innovative” the products traders propose to sell will be. The policy defines “innovative” as whether the product is readily available in the High Street market place. Read more