Planning House secured a certificate of lawful development for an existing use after we demonstrated that a modern stable development changed to a dwelling without planning permission and had been in use in excess of 4 years.
The onus is on the applicant to prove on the balance of probabilities that the development had been established for in excess of the timescales in which enforcement action can be taken.
For a certificate to be granted a local planning authority needs to consider whether, on the facts of the case and relevant planning law, the specific matter is or would be lawful. Planning merits are not relevant at any stage in this particular application or appeal process.
Based on the evidence submitted by Planning House Durham County Council were satisfied that the appropriate legal tests were met and therefore granted a lawful development certificate.