A local councillor has raised "concerns" about the planning system after his own "simple" planning application took months to be processed.
Jeremy Owenson, the Conservative Councillor for Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC), noticed the problems after putting in an application to install a shepherds hut and glamping pod at his home in Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire.
The delayed planning permission application on his home, which is a grade II listed property dating back to the early 18th century, sparked the councillor to call for improvements in the planning system.
What was the Councillor looking to build?
The councillor's application is for a shepherd's hut and one glamping pod next to his home the 'Pool House'.
Classified as a caravan under planning conditions the shepherd's hut will feature a typical design with timber boarding painted light green and grey corrugated sheet roofing. It will include external timber steps and a balustrade on the south elevation facing the river, measuring approximately 3.6m high, 8m long, and 2.8m wide.
The glamping pod will be placed nearby, with landscaping provided to ensure the privacy of each unit.
The site will accommodate up to four people at any one time in the purpose-built shepherd's hut and glamping pod.
Why was the application accepted?
The application for the pod and hut was accepted using paragraph 64 of the NPPF - ‘Supporting a Prosperous Rural Economy’ section.
It was claimed that the pod and hut could be used for a business enterprise and be used by tourists it will provide economic benefits to the area and help with the upkeep of the historic property.
It was also said the designs would be complementary to the local area and the "fabric of the buildings will comply with the latest insulation requirements".
But concerns over why application took 'so long to determine'
Councillor Owenson expressed his frustration over the time the application took to be processed and claimed improvements are needed, after he waited almost a year for his application to be approved.
Mr Owenson said: “It is good that I have had the opportunity to see the planning process from an applicant’s perspective. I am really concerned that simple applications seem to take so long to determine.
"I know that there are big delays in the planning department, and MHDC needs to make a special effort to determine applications within government guidelines.
"Malvern Hills District Council is particularly slow at approving planning applications. They are missing their own targets and manipulate the figure to look better than they actually are, by getting people to "Agree to extension" prior to decision."
What caused the nearly year-long delay?
In total, the application took nearly 11 months in order to be approved.
The application was sent on the 19th July 2023 and was only approved on the 10th of June 2024.
Malvern Hills District Council said the delay in processing the application were due to the position of the pod and hut "in relation to wildlife on the River Severn and the effect on tree roots within the site".
A meeting with the Biodiversity Officer and Tree Officer was held on December 20th. Concerns raised were documented on December 21st but were not received until February 28th, causing a delay in making the amendments.
The council claim this, along with the sensitive nature of the neighbouring house being a grade II listed building, meant more time was needed to process the application.
