Our client wished to replace a slowly deteriorating building with a new dwelling. The existing residential use rights were fully established and it was just a matter of designing an appropriate dwelling for the site. Following submission, neighbour concerns were considered and amended plans submitted to the Council. These were duly accepted as being suitable and no objections were made. Consequently a swift approval was gained for our client who now has permission for a new dwelling in Edern, nr Nefyn. 

Our client approached us with a view to converting a Listed Chapel into a dwelling. This was a delicate development because not only was the building Listed but the site was very small with little room to manoeuvre with regard to extensions.  Dialogue then ensued with the LPA's Conservation Officer and agreement was reached, with the the assistance of the architectural designers on what could be achieved within the confines of the site. Applications were then submitted for planning consent and Listed Building approval, which were favourably obtained following the pre-application discussions and further changes during the course of the handling of the application. a successful conclusion to a potentially difficult and sensitive development.    

The client wanted to develop a new touring caravan park in the centre of the Island. Owen Devenport were instructed to guide the application through the planning process. A key element was the impact upon the Landscape and also impact upon the road network. A Landscape Architect was instructed and produced a full Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA). This was accepted by the Local Planning Authority and with mitigating landscaping the site was not deemed harmful. Highway issues were another potential stumbling block and initially the highway authority were not in favour. However with the intervention of Owen Devenport and the client the officers re-visited the site and agreed that additional passing bays would overcome any objections. Thus the site was finally approved, with conditions including that of a Travel Plan which Owen Devenport will now complete. The client now has permission for a touring caravan park, with an amenity block in the heart of the Anglesey countryside that should prove very popular with tourists. 

Planning permission had been refused for the development of a single dwelling on land at Llanddulas near Abergele. The client decided to use another Architectural Consultant, following which Owen Devenport were engaged as planning consultants. The previous scheme appeared rather grandiose (for the site and location) and was refused on several grounds. An amended design was then put together, which was a better reflection of the character of the area and the plot itself. The Highway objection that persisted in the first application was also dealt with and the second application was duly submitted.

As a consequence of our involvement and subsequent planning advice, the application was approved and the client was naturally delighted. He now has a valuable piece of real estate that he intends to sell off on the open market. This demonstrates that even after a refusal of permission, if dealt with properly, an amended design and a different approach can yield dividends. 

We were instructed to advise on a refused application for a single dwelling in the village of Bryngwran on Anglesey. Having assessed the plans and the general setting of the proposed plot we advised that an appeal would be worthwhile. The client agreed to go forward with an Informal Hearing. The issues surrounded the fact that the LPA  deemed the site to be in open countryside and thus falling outside the scope of policies that allowed for single dwellings adjoining various settlements. The site was outside the defined settlement boundary for Bryngwran but was sandwiched between two existing housing developments, with development also in evidence on the opposite side of the road.

The LPA  were also fearful that allowing this single plot would set a precedence for the remainder of the field. But, the Inspector disagreed and indicated that the LPA were well within their rights to refuse any future applications if there was harm to the character of the area.    

The client already has a successful holiday letting business in Dinorwig, Gwynedd, with two holiday cottages next door to her other property, a disused Chapel. The Chapel was now to be converted also to complete this development and was large enough to accommodate a 7-bed unit.

Plans were drawn and an application submitted, however the applicant Mrs Wigley, was unhappy with her agent and asked Owen Devenport to take over. This we did and noted there was a mounting campaign against the development from near neighbours. Their objection was vociferous and the matter went to planning committee. There were other outstanding issues that Owen Devenport had successfully dealt with and the local opposition was now the major hurdle.

At the first planning committee Berwyn Owen spoke for the applicant, whilst the objectors also spoke and the local Councillor spoke at length against the proposal. The Committee were about to refuse permission against officer's recommendation, when a site visit was suggested. The Members agreed and the decision was deferred for another month.

Owen Devenport then set out in a letter the permitted development rights of the applicant in respect of the Chapel and when the matter reverted to the next Committee common sense prevailed and the application was approved by a strong vote in favour. Mrs Wigley's testimonial shows that Owen Devenport's intervention even after an application has been submitted was proven to be worthwhile.