A PLANNING CONSULTANCY BASED IN CORNWALL
Current Projects
High Court Witness
Following the successful representation of a community group at a Public Inquiry, where a wind turbine site was resisted on grounds of impact to a settlement, Paul Bateman has given evidence to the High Court in support of the Inspector’s decision on points of law. The successful included the award of costs to clients.
Recent Permission for Zero Carbon Holiday Accommodation
Influence Planning has achieved planning permission for quality sustainable tourist accommodation in a rural location near Truro. The proposal is for the first, code for sustainable homes level 6 holiday accommodation in Cornwall, and will break new ground in providing a destination for the ‘green market’, in a location that is becoming more and more renowned for its sustainability credentials. Applying national policy guidance in support of economic growth in rural areas and micro generation of renewable energy for commercial purposes, Influence Planning overcame conflict with local plan policy. Paul Bateman has been retained to assist in the delivery of the project.
Successful Appeal for City Centre Office
Influence Planning represented a client in his appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the demolition of a city centre garage and its replacement with a two storey office. The Inspector granted planning permission giving significant weight to Paul Bateman’s representations on emerging Government policy. A successful award of costs was also made to the client against the Council.
Exceptional Dwelling in the Open Countryside
Influence Planning is promoting a proposal for Cornwall’s first zero carbon dwellinghouse, located in an isolated rural location. The clients have taken the bold step of having a design brief that includes the generation of more energy that the dwelling will use, allowing provision for electric cars as the sole means of private transportation.
The house itself is of 600 square metres and is to be constructed, in the main, underground; utilising a former concrete water reservoir. Poignantly, the proposed house includes an indoor swimming pool. Renewable energy features include: ground source heat pumps, wind turbines, solar photovoltaic cells, and electric car charging points.
The project is justified on the basis of local plan policy support for an acceptable and viable re-use of an existing rural building, and national guidance that provides for exceptionally innovative and outstanding dwellings in the open countryside.
Advising Truro City Council
Influence Planning has been instructed to assist in the preparation of a report for Truro City Council’s response to the Eastern District Centre planning application, made jointly by Cornwall Council, the Duchy of Cornwall and Waitrose. The report has combined the community representation of the Councillors, existing and emerging policy, and recent appeal decisions, to conclude on whether the development is acceptable in a proper planning sense.
Recently Completed Projects
Paul Bateman has recently completed work in the following areas:
- Development of Nine Town Centre Apartments
- Training seminar for National Association of Estate Agents
- Successful planning application for 123 holiday homes in the St Ives Bay area.
- Training Seminar for Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Influence(noun) – the power of one to exert an effect on the behaviour, thinking or actions of another.