Tuesday 4 December 2012

Appeal slices £300k off highway costs

MAZE Planning Solutions has helped reduce the cost of highway works demanded by Bolton Council for a business development to around £20,000 from £320,000 following the successful conclusion of an enforcement appeal in November.

The Westhoughton development is HQ to northwest demolition specialist Forshaw and asbestos contractor Malrod Insulations, who both built space for their own occupation.

The local authority had required road widening and junction improvements under a planning condition but the associated costs were significant, reaching an estimated £0.5 million at one stage.

Forshaw and Malrod were unable to reach a negotiated solution and Bolton Council took enforcement action when the highway works were not done.

The planning inspector, Peter Willows, accepted that the lesser works proposed by the appellants would deal adequately with HGV traffic associated with their developments, and concluded that the Council's preferred scheme was flawed in its rationale and the outcome it would achieve.

Specialist highway advice to Forshaw / Malrod for the appeal was provided by Alan Davies of DTPC Ltd, and legal support from Lewis Denton of Dyne Solicitors.
 
A copy of the appeal decision can be viewed here