Planning Applications are Important

Matthew Lepley and Jules Smith didn’t apply for permission before building an eco home in Beaworthy, west Devon. They were granted retrospective approval for their handcrafted home, built from recycled material such as wooden pallets and old tyres, because of their passion and commitment to sustainability.

Planning consent should be sought

There is no doubt that this development ticks the eco homes box; the couple even declined to use power tools to lower the carbon footprint of the build. Apparently, their aversion to applying for planning permission was because it was against their principles, so they didn’t bother.

But where do you draw the line? I bet that some of you have battled with the planners and inspectors for years, followed due planning process and are fuming that these two have been given special status because of their uber-green lifestyle. I’m sure that your homes, which would have to be constructed to the latest Building Regulations, would be sustainable, too, if you were allowed to create them.

This case raises some important points. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) trumpets the government’s desire to promote a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” but only when the scheme accords with the local development plan. There is a get-out clause called “material considerations” that can be used when the authorities wish to either endorse or kill off a project, and I suspect it is this clause that has been applied by the inspector in the case of Matthew and Jules. However, this precedent suggests it might soon be easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission to build your new home if you are considered green enough.

While I can support their passion and enthusiasm for literally self-building their own home and for their eco credentials, I cannot support the somewhat dramatic line that they didn’t bother to seek planning consent because they didn’t agree with it. The principle of applying for prior approval must remain, or we will end up with anarchy.

Defining sustainability

The trouble is that no one is quite sure what constitutes sustainability, so it has become totally subjective in planning terms. Almost every self-builder I talk to wishes to build an energy efficient and sustainable home. I believe that it’s time for a frank discussion about what this constitutes and a recognised framework developed against which it can be applied. At the moment, it’s just too woolly and can only end in frustration. I guess this is another one for my task list.