I have appeared as expert witness, or comparable role, for a range of planning matters at public inquiries and Examinations held for: planning application determinations and call-in procedures; Electricity Act 1989 (s.36 and s.37) submissions; Development Consent Order applications; enforcement matters; and development plan document/local plan policy. I have acted on behalf of both scheme promoters and objectors and for public and private sector clients.
An overview is provided in the table below.
| Type | Project & Client | Date | Nature of involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issue Specific Hearings | Hinkley Point C Connection DCO National Grid | 2015 | Expert witness addressing socio-economic and land use matters including living conditions and the specific effects of the proposed development on the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area and Bristol Port. Decision awaited. |
| Joint Committee Hearings as part of Special Parliamentary Provisions | Able Marine Energy Park DCO Able UK |
2014 | Expert witness addressing matter of planning, project need and IROPI. Committee concluded no case to answer. |
| Public Inquiry (s.37) |
Llandinam Windfarm Repowering distribution line SP Manweb |
2013/14 | Expert witness addressing planning matters and demonstrating the balance of benefits. Decision awaited. |
| Joint Committee Hearings as part of Special Parliamentary Provisions | Rookery South Resource Recovery Facility DCO Covanta Energy (UK) Ltd |
2012 | Expert witness addressing matters of planning, waste, energy and carbon. Committee concluded no case to answer. |
| Policy Examination | Former Bedfordshire Waste Core Strategy Covanta Energy (UK) Ltd |
2012 | Witness to respond to policy on matters of planning, waste, energy, site selection and policy drafting. Policy text amended. |
| Public Inquiry (TCPA) |
Resource Recovery Facility, Derby Shanks Waste Management |
2012 | Expert witness addressing matters of planning, waste and energy policy. Appeal upheld. |
| Public Inquiry (s.36) |
Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant E.On Energy from Waste |
2011 | Expert witness addressing matters of waste and energy policy. Application approved. |
| Public Inquiry (SoS call-in) |
EnviRecover Energy from Waste Facility, Worcestershire Worcestershire County Council |
2011 | Sole expert witness acting on behalf of the County Council addressing waste, energy and other planning matters. Decision to approve upheld. |
| Issue Specific Hearings | Rookery South Resource Recovery Facility DCO Covanta Energy (UK) Ltd |
2011 | Expert witness addressing matters of planning, waste, energy and carbon. DCO granted. |
| Policy Examination | West of England Joint Waste Core Strategy West of England Partnership |
2010/2011 | Having led production of the WCS, appeared as expert witness to respond to all matters raised by the Inspector during the Examination. Policy found sound and adopted. |
| Public Inquiry (TCPA) |
Chadwich Lane Quarry, Worcestershire Worcestershire County Council |
2009 | Sole expert witness acting on behalf of the County Council addressing matters of Green Belt policy, maintenance of environmental standards and impact on residential amenity. Appeal upheld, request for costs dismissed. |
| Public Inquiry (TCPA) |
Ball Mill Quarry, Worcestershire Worcestershire County Council |
2009 | Expert witness addressing matters of planning policy, minerals landbank and planning balance between the proposed workings and landscape and visual and biodiversity impacts. Appeal upheld, request for costs dismissed. |
| Public Inquiry (Enforcement) |
Bolton Woods Quarry, Bradford Bradford Council |
2008 | Sole expert witness acting on behalf of Bradford Council addressing waste and minerals planning legislation and environmental matters. Appellant withdrew appeal on last day of inquiry. |
| Policy Examination | Surrey Waste Plan Surrey County Council |
2007 | Having led production of the Waste Plan, which incorporated Core Strategy, Site Allocation DPD and Development Management Policy DPD, appeared as expert witness to respond to all matters raised by the Inspector during the Examination. This included a Formal Hearing session on the Waste Framework Directive. Policy found sound and adopted. |
| Public Inquiry (Enforcement) |
Causeway Meadows Farm, Worcestershire Worcestershire County Council |
2006 | A conjoined inquiry considering appeals against: refusal of planning permission; refusal of Lawful Development Certificate; and Enforcement Notice. Appeared as sole expert witness on behalf of the County Council to address waste and planning matters across all three inquiries. Appeal dismissed and Enforcement Notice upheld. |
| Public Inquiry (TCPA) |
Mayfield Farm, Worcestershire Worcestershire County Council |
2006 | Sole expert witness acting on behalf of the County Council addressing matters of impact on the openness of the Green Belt and visual impact on the surrounding countryside. Appeal dismissed. |
| Informal Hearing (TCPA) |
Housing development in Bicester Cherwell District Council |
1997 | Council representative defending reasons for refusal which included over development in a village gap and traffic matters. |