Social Welfare Lawyers in the Centre of Birmingham

Braintree DC v SSHCLG and Nicholls [2021] EWHC 651 (QB)

A Planning Inspector granted Mr Nicholls planning permission for a Travellers’ site. The local authority challenged this decision on the basis that the Inspector had misinterpreted the development plan and had failed to provide sufficient reasons for her decision. Timothy Mould QC (sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court) dismissed the appeal. If the local authority’s interpretation of their own policy had been allowed it would have meant that no Gypsy or Traveller site could ever have been given permission in the countryside. Their appeal against the costs award against them was also dismissed. See:  https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2021/651.html