Approval for housing scheme in Derry-Londonderry

This approval came from a successful appeal process led by Gravis for our client, following the initial refusal of full planning permission by Derry & Strabane District Council’s Planning Department. The case included complex legal and environmental issues, as the proposal was an EIA Development and site preparation works were undertaken prior to the positive EIA determination. Gravis Planning were also successful in appealing an associated Enforcement Notice back in 2018 for the same client.

The original planning application was heading for approval in December 2019, until a late intervention saw DfI Planning ‘calling in’ the application for consideration. Following return of the application to Council, the application proceeded to being recommended for refusal in the summer of 2021.

Gravis Planning then kickstarted and managed the appeal process. This included managing a retained environmental team to address issues raised in the refusal reasons that required Further Environmental Information, which was submitted as part of our Statement of Case. A legal team was also retained by the client, given the complex case law matters included in the refusal reasons. Gravis Planning provided briefings to the legal team and coordinated their input as part of the appeal process.

Following three separate appeal hearings and multiple submissions of evidence during the course of the appeal; the Council’s refusal was overturned in spring 2023 with the granting of full planning permission for the proposed development. Gravis welcomes this decision as our client will now be able to provide a significant amount of housing in an area of high local demand.