Disclosure r.e. Chris McDonagh 18/03961/FUL Signal Cottage planning approval

The request was partially successful.

Dear Northumberland County Council,

This is an FOI request directed at the planning department and specifically to planning officer Mr Chris McDonagh in relation to his recommendation to approve the application 18/03961/FUL at Signal Cottage, Amble, which was subsequently approved at the North Northumberland local area committee on 12 March 2019.

My FOI request is that all documents, papers, communications and all relevant information connected with the decision by Mr McDonagh to approve this application be disclosed for the public benefit and that an explanation be given as to how 18/03961/FUL is significantly different in scale, size and massing from the previous application that was denied on those grounds to warrant recommendation of approval, because in his report to the above meeting all that is mentioned is that "the building has been sunk a further 0.5m into the ground." Despite the minimal loss of height of 0.5mt - how does 18/03961/FUL comply with regional and national planning law to warrant approval, when the previous application did not? The full reasons behind this recommendation for approval need to be explained for the public benefit, because it is clearly irrational and illogical.

This FOI request particularly relates to the Design and Landscape Impact sections of the above report; especially point 7.16 "The surrounding area is devoid of housing types given it is only bordered by the sea, the dunes of Amble Links .... " and also point 7.21 ... "The landscape impact of the development, both in regard to its design and the increase in size when compared to the previous bungalow, was subject to several public objections received but it is considered they have been addressed within this section of the report." (i.e. the minimal loss of height of 0.5mt).

Yours faithfully,

Joyce Brown

Northumberland County Council

1 Attachment

Our Ref: 5853  

Dear Enquirer,

INFORMATION REQUEST

Thank you for your request for information which will be dealt with under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 / Environmental
Information Regulations 2004.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, we
will let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter please contact us. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Kind regards

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF

Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]
Web: http://www.northumberland.gov.uk

Northumberland County Council

2 Attachments

Our Ref: 5853  

Dear Enquirer,

Request for Information

I refer to your request for information received 1 April 2019.

The Council have considered your request for information under the terms
of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. In our view the request
falls within the scope of the broad definition of environmental
information contained within Regulation 2(1) of the Regulations.

Right of Access

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 provide that a public
authority that holds environmental information shall make it available on
request. The Regulations create a general right of access to environmental
information held by public authorities subject to various exceptions. A
public authority may refuse to disclose environmental information if an
exception to disclosure applies and the public authority decides that in
all the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the exception
outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Council has carefully considered whether the information requested can
be disclosed under the Regulations.

Request:
My FOI request is that all documents, papers, communications and all
relevant information connected with the decision by Mr McDonagh to approve
this application be disclosed for the public benefit and that an
explanation be given as to how 18/03961/FUL is significantly different in
scale, size and massing from the previous application that was denied on
those grounds to warrant recommendation of approval, because in his report
to the above meeting all that is mentioned is that "the building has been
sunk a further 0.5m into the ground." Despite the minimal loss of height
of 0.5mt - how does 18/03961/FUL comply with regional and national
planning law to warrant approval, when the previous application did not?
The full reasons behind this recommendation for approval need to be
explained for the public benefit, because it is clearly irrational and
illogical.  
Response:
Please see attachment 1 re: all documents, papers, communications and all
relevant information connected with the decision by Mr McDonagh to approve
this application.  Further information can be found on Public Access by
clicking on the following link and searching on the keywords 18/03961/FUL 
 [1]https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov....
Please note that the following part of your request is not covered under
FOI, instead this will be responded to separately by a Principal Planning
Officer:
an explanation be given as to how 18/03961/FUL is significantly different
in scale, size and massing from the previous application that was denied
on those grounds to warrant recommendation of approval, because in his
report to the above meeting all that is mentioned is that "the building
has been sunk a further 0.5m into the ground." Despite the minimal loss of
height of 0.5mt - how does 18/03961/FUL comply with regional and national
planning law to warrant approval, when the previous application did not?
The full reasons behind this recommendation for approval need to be
explained for the public benefit, because it is clearly irrational and
illogical.    
Advice and Assistance

The Council recognises its statutory duty to provide advice and assistance
under Regulation 9 of the Regulations. Subject to the provision of the
Regulations, the Council is seeking to be transparent and open it is
response.

Representations and Reconsideration

If you consider that the Council has failed to comply with a requirement
of the Regulations in relation to your request, you have a right to make
representations under Regulation 11. Representations must be made in
writing to the Council no later than 40 working days after the date on
which you believe that the Council failed to comply with a requirement of
the Regulations.

Any representation should be addressed to:

Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

Enforcement and Appeal Provisions

Should you remain dissatisfied following the above process, you have a
right under the Regulations to apply to the Information Commissioner for a
decision as to whether your request has been dealt with in accordance with
the requirements of the Regulations. The Information Commissioners address
is:

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Telephone no. 0303 123 1113
Email: [email address]

Yours faithfully

EIR Coordinator - Information Governance Office
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Email: [Northumberland County Council request email]

References

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1. http://track.vuelio.uk.com/z.z?l=aHR0cHM...