Category Archives: STC

South Tyneside Council

Too wide or not?

The LGO says in paragraph 21 (23 of her final draft) of her first draft:
The Council considered this and decided not to enforce. Enforcement is discretionary and the Council explained to residents in great detail how it reached its decision. It explained the law and policy it considered. There is no need for me to repeat this. It decided the degree of departure from the plans – less than one metre – was “non-material.”

Mr Mansbridge in his letter to residents in response to our Petition:
The measurements which the Council took on 17th September 2014 are:
•    Height at the River Drive end 15.5m and at the riverside end 18m.
•    Length 22.254m;
•    Width 13.1m;
Apart from the width these dimensions are either entirely in accordance with the approved plan, or subject to such minor deviation that they are properly categorised as non-material changes.

Not only is there some confusion about whether the increase in width is material, Mr Mansbridge does not tell the residents what drawing he is using, it could be either 1A or 1B, and he does not send a copy of it with the letter but I can tell you which ever it is, it also shows the height of the riverside end as 15.5m. Three meters extra height is a material difference.