COSTS FOR UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOR

  The Secretary of State slaps Wealden's hand for deliberate slow service designed to disadvantage an appellant

WHAT IS THEIR MOTIVE - Council officers who tow the party line are not only highly paid civil servants, but also stand to benefit from their involvement with underhanded dealings in planning consents in other areas where there may be a "you scratch my back, and we'll scratch yours" arrangement. On the other hand, it could be that insider knowledge can be used legitimately to obtain consents for houses in the country such as this nice little retreat in an out of the way location, that might be termed green belt to the man in the street.

BUSHY WOOD APPEAL

On 3rd, 4th & 5th December 1997 a planning inquiry took place to determine if horses could be stabled at Bushy Wood Farm.  This was a bit of a miracle considering officers of Wealden District Council tried every ruse they could think of to prevent Mr & Mrs Punter from applying for permission.  The Council's formalities (Stanhope) officer told Mrs Punter she might as well spend the application fee on lottery tickets for all the good her application would do her.  However, this did not deter Mrs P. from applying.

Mrs P. insisted Mr Stanhope accept her application, which went through the proper channels for consideration by the Council's planning committee. However, the assistant then District Planning officer, another senior planning officer and the Chief Enforcement officer (The Dirty Trio) obviously thought the Committee might pass the application, especially as a petition had made the stables front page news.  So, the officers devised a plan to take the Members out of the equation.  They would attempt to invalidate the application by destroying the buildings. They would have to be quick.

Unfortunately, for the Dirty Trio, even after they had done their foul deed, the Planning Inspectorate accepted an appeal from Mrs P.  A bit of a blow for the Council - why had they not determined the application?   Even at this late stage the officers tried to sabotage Mrs P's case by delaying the supply of the Council's defence until just days before the Inquiry was due to commence.

The Inspector ruled these tactics constituted unreasonable behaviour and awarded costs against the extra bundles prepared to counter any argument the Council might run as the Order below shows:-

Naughty, naughty.  Surprisingly, these officers were not rebuked for their actions and continue to be employed by this Council, although the senior planning officer was eventually ousted to cover a different area, the assistant DPO was promoted to District Planning Officer.  Who said crime doesn't pay?  The then Leader of the Council, Mrs Valerie Chidson, resigned shortly after stating publicly that the Council's only errors were little ones.  One wonders what a big one would be in her rather distorted view!

If you've got a similar tale to tell, why not contact the Wealden Action Group.  They helped Mr and Mrs P find support and come to terms with their adversary.  Our thanks go to Chester Hudson for his sterling efforts putting victims in touch with other victims for support and experience sharing, and to Roger Brown for taking the time and trouble to assemble the information in logical fashion.

THIS SITE CONTAINS MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS COUNCIL'S UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR - With thanks to Action Groups across the country for the supply of real case history and supporting documents.  *THAT THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW*

Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AX T: 01323 443322
Pine Grove, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1DH T: 01892 653311

WEALDEN'S OFFICERS FROM 1983 TO 2018

Abbott Trevor - Alcock Charmain - Ditto - Arnold Chris (Christine) - Barakchizadeh Lesley - Paul Barker - Bending Christopher

Black Julian - Boakes Beverley - Bradshaw Clifford - Brigginshaw Marina - Brown Ashley - Coffey Patrick - Douglas Sheelagh

Dowsett Timothy - Flemming Mike - Forder Ralph - Garrett Martyn - Goodwin Daniel - Henham J - Holness Derek

Hoy Thomas - Johnson Geoff - Kavanagh Geoff - Kay Ian - Kay I. M. - Barbara Kingsford - Lant Charles - Mercer Richard

Mileman Niall - Moon Craig - Moss Douglas, J. -  Nuttall Christine - Pettigrew Rex - Phillips David - Scarpa Victorio - Scott Trevor

Kevin Stewart - Wakeford Malcolm - Whibley David - White, George - Williams Kelvin - Wilson Kenneth - White Steve

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