COURT OF APPEAL DECISION HAILS THE END OF THE ROAD FOR UNAUTHORISED TRAVELLER SITE

Doran v Secretary of State and Central Bedfordshire Council

Felix Doran, an Irish Traveller, moved onto a site within the Green Belt in Central Bedfordshire.  The Council refused planning permission for the site and Mr Doran's appeal was refused by the Secretary of State with an award of costs in favour of the Council in 2009.  This decision was challenged in the High Court and this was dismissed in June 2010.  Permission was granted to appeal to the Court of Appeal where the issue focussed on the inspector's approach to the grant of temporary planning permission.  The inspector had refused to grant temporary planning permission and it was asserted by Mr Doran that he had not had regard to the correct factors.  The Court of Appeal rejected this challenge and held that the issue of temporary planning permission had been properly addressed.

Saira Kabir Sheikh represented Central Bedfordshire Council at the planning inquiry, the High Court and the Court of Appeal.