Irwin Mitchell Advises On Residential Scheme Granted By Planning Inspectorate Under Special Measures

The Planning & Environmental Team at Irwin Mitchell has assisted housebuilder Chase New Homes in obtaining planning permission for the residential redevelopment of a disused school in Saffron Walden.

The permission is one of the first of its kind having been granted directly by the Planning Inspectorate under the procedure contained in s62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 after Uttlesford District Council was placed in special measures due to an unacceptable number of major planning decisions being overturned at appeal.

The finished scheme will repurpose and preserve a locally listed heritage asset to provide 96 new homes; as well as re-opening the existing swimming pool and changing facilities, and providing associated recreation facilities, including a multi-use games area and tennis courts.

Irwin Mitchell Planning partner Nicola Gooch and solicitor Erica Ives acted for Chase in negotiating and settling a Section 106 Agreement and a Unilateral Undertaking in relation to the planning application, including negotiating detailed viability mechanisms. The team also provided advice on assets of community value and planning conditions.

Nicola Gooch said, “This has been an almost unprecedented situation where Uttlesford District Council was instructed by a planning officer who would ultimately not make any recommendation in relation the proposal due it being determined by the Planning Inspectorate. We are delighted the planning permission has been granted to our client enabling them to bring much needed housing and amenities to the community.”

This is one of a number of matters in relation to which the Planning & Environmental Team have acted for Chase over the last few years, including securing a mixed use re-development scheme comprising 3419 square metres of commercial floorspace,

an 86-bed hotel and 98 residential apartments at Lea Wharf in Hertford and a prior approval office to residential scheme in Cockfosters to provide 216 residential units.

The core team for the application included Alan Ward of Chase New Homes and Mark Hodgson, Paul Maidment and Natalie Aldrich of Savills.