Stanstead St Margarets, Hertfordshire

An overgrown site on the edge of town squeezed between road to the front and canal to the rear. It faced a range of obstacles: flooding, ecology, trees, access, noise, air quality, heritage. But, working closely with the consultant team and statutory consultees, SP&D resolved all of these issues.

The application faced stiff opposition from organised and vocal local residents who attended the Planning Committee en masse and put a lot of pressure on members. Thus, despite a strong officer recommendation for approval and support from all the statutory consultees, the application was refused. SP&D had developed a good relationship with senior planning officers and met with them to discuss how to progress. We submitted an appeal against the refusal at the same time as a revised planning application with a slightly amended access. The second application was again recommended for approval and, having secured a change for the locals and facing the prospect of an appeal, members swiftly approved it and we withdrew the appeal.