News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire
  • Investigations
  • News
  • Crime
  • Your Views
No Result
View All Result
  • TRENDING:
  • Peterborough
  • Cambridge
  • Huntingdon
  • March
  • Wisbech
  • Ely
  • Fenland
  • Whittlesey
  • St Ives
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire
  • Investigations
  • News
  • Crime
  • Your Views
No Result
View All Result
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire
Support Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Investigations
  • News
  • Crime
  • Your Views
Home News Local Council

Cambridgeshire man wins fight to retain converted garage as an office

John Elworthy by John Elworthy
10:39am, March 20 2023
in Local Council
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.

Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A council trying to force a Cambridgeshire man to stop using part of a converted garage as a home office, asked Cambridge City Airport what they thought of the proposal.

East Cambridgeshire District Council asked airport chiefs for their views on the retrospective application by Mark Dobinson to retain the office at Soham – 16 miles from the airport.

Gary Renault on behalf of the airport told the council they had looked into it.

“The proposed development has been examined from an aerodrome safeguarding perspective and does not conflict with safeguarding criteria,” he told the council.

Advertisements
Pictures
Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.
Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.

Mr Dobinson found himself locked in a dispute with East Cambridgeshire District Council after they discovered he was using part of the garage as a self-contained office.

Council planners claimed it “would lead to the loss of the garage as a useable parking space which would leave the site with one off street parking space.

“The proposal would likely result in an increase and demand of on-street parking to the detriment of the convenience of other road users in the vicinity and where competition for parking spaces in high”.

Mr Dobinson had told the council that irrespective of its current use “the original garage has never housed one of our vehicles as they were too wide to fit in the garage”.

He said the garage next to his home in Celandine View, Soham is split to allow the self-contained office and also room for storing a motorbike.

Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.
Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.

It would be quite possible, he argued, for the space to be changed fully back to a garage in the future by removing the Celotex and plaster to allow for a car to be kept there.

He appealed against the council’s ruling and the Planning Inspectorate has sided with him.

Emma Worley, the Government inspector who allowed his appeal, said the main issue was the effect of the development on highway safety.

‘Loss of off-road parking’

“The refusal reason refers to inconvenience to road users as a consequence of the loss of the off-road parking space and the subsequent increased demand for on-street parking,” she said.

“However, the council’s analysis and alleged policy conflict clearly refers to highway safety.”

She said the Celandine estate had been subject to a planning condition that restricts the use of garages to the parking of vehicles and not for any other purposes, without the express consent of the local planning authority to do so.

Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.
Mark Dobinson produced photos to show East Cambs planners his internal conversion was not visible to the outside world. He also pointed out the garage was not wide enough for either of his two cars.

The inspector noted that the Local Plan of 2015 dictates that adequate levels of off-street parking should be provided.

Ms Worley noted the council’s concerns “that the loss of the parking space at the appeal site increases the likelihood of on-street parking, exacerbating the existing parking stress in the area, which includes vehicles obstructing the footpaths and shared road space, to the detriment of vehicles using the highway”.

But she also noted appeal submissions that indicated there were in the region of 190 formal resident parking spaces plus approximately 45-50 on street parking spaces to serve the development of 96 homes.

“Overall, the Celandine View development is generous with parking, since development of Celandine View concluded in 2016 by Hopkins Homes there has been a repurpose of a recycling area which has afforded two additional parking spaces for Celandine View, and visitor and resident parking is abundant on the development with no restrictions in place for on-street parking,” she said.

Advertisement
Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article

How much space do you need?

These, she said, exceed the requirements of two spaces per home for residents and one car space per four homes for visitors.

“At the time of my site visit, which I appreciate was during the day when residents are more likely to be out at work, while there were a number of vehicles parked on the highway, there were also plentiful opportunities for on street parking available,” she said.

“The extent of on-street parking in the area was therefore not so apparent to indicate evidence of a clear parking problem.”

Ms Worley added: “My attention is drawn to the fact that, prior to its conversion, the garage had not been used for parking purposes for a number of years.

“Whilst that situation could change over time it illustrates that the use of a garage for parking cannot be compelled, even with the presence of a planning condition which stipulates that the garage shall remain available for such purposes.

“For the foregoing reasons, in the absence of any substantive evidence of a local parking issue, I find that the modest shortfall in parking provision at the appeal site, is unlikely to cause a degree of parking congestion on the public highway that is harmful to highway safety.

“Given my findings on the main issue, there is no reason to believe that the development encourages the parking of two vehicles on the driveway to the front of the garage, leading to safety issues with vehicles overhanging the highway.

“I therefore conclude that the proposal does not result in a shortage in off-road parking provision in this location that harms highway safety.”

‘Tightly configured’ parking says council

East Cambs Council had argued that parking provision is tightly configured with minimal drive space serving most of the properties.

“It was apparent from the site visit that even mid-morning that there was a high incidence of parking stress with a number of cars parked partially on the footpaths and others projecting into shared road space,” said a council planning officer report.

“The proposal may encourage future residents to try to park on the remaining part of the drive way which would lead the car to overhang on the highway which would lead to concerns.

“Allowing the garage to be converted to office space would result in the loss of a useable parking space for off street parking and result in additional parking stress and parking congestion in Celandine View to the detriment of highway safety.

“This would result in a cumulative detrimental impact on on-street parking which would result in an adverse impact on the existing highway safety as this will cause additional on street parking.”

The planning officer said they were aware of a successful appeal to allow a garage on the same estate to be used for a beauty business.

“The inspector allowed the appeal on a personal permission, on the basis that the use would cease when the appellant leaves and the support from the appellants clients that they would use sustainable modes of transport,” said the report.

“Whilst this decision has been noted, it does not set a precedent on this basis alone as each application is assessed on their own merits.”

 

.

Tags: cambridge city airportEast Cambridgeshire District CouncilHomepageSOHAM
ShareTweetSend
Next Post
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Scott Ambrose, 35, booked a Peterborough hotel room on 7 August, 2021, and had also bought alcohol, sex toys and a camera.

Peterborough hotel ‘sex date’ with teenager thwarted by citizen’s arrest

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - George Campbell leisure centre, March

Jobs threat at Fenland leisure centres as council offers further support

Help us by Donating

Latest News

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
News

Peterborough Museum Gains £168K to Improve Visitor Access and Engagement

September 15, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Cllr Nicola Day (left) and Cllr Julie Stevenson; both feel left out of PCRFM debate on showground development
News

Peterborough councillors question PCRFM’s balance in showground debate

September 12, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Sennitt Clough describes herself as an award-winning poet,, Forward Prize best collection shortlisted poet, magazine editor, creative writing tutor, and local open-mic host. She quit as a councillor on September 4
Fenland District Council

Whittlesey Conservative councillor Elisabeth Sennit Clough quit on September 4 amid bullying claims

September 12, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Conservative county councillor Leedo George; the home care company he helps run was placed in special measures by regulators, following a damning inspection that branded its services “inadequate”
News

Liberal Democrats call for Cambridgeshire Tory councillor to quit after care scandal

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Pat Carrington: “I had the privilege of setting up City Culture Peterborough—operating our city’s libraries, the Key Theatre, museum, and Flag Fen. This is such an exciting opportunity, with so much synergy between the College and City Culture. I think I have the best job in the world by caretaking these amazing facilities and services.”
News

The Peterborough college affair: allegations, resignations, and a wall of silence

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - The symbol of the Fens is the Fen Tiger. The design of the flag features a heraldic tiger placed in a central field of yellow, representing agricultural prosperity. The blue outer fields represent the region’s natural and manmade waterways.
Your Views

OPINION: The quiet English way: why Fenland’s flag debate matters

September 10, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Cllr Charles Roberts in 2018 showing the then Housing Minister Kit Malthouse around Stretham CLT. With him is then Combined Authority Mayor James Palmer and the mayor’s chief of staff Tom Hunt.
News

Former Combined Authority deputy mayor Charles Roberts turns to Reform

September 10, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Dr Shabina Qayyum set to become new leader of Peterborough City Council in landmark coalition deal
News

Labour’s Qayyum poised to lead Peterborough in coalition with Peterborough First and Lib Dems

September 10, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Conservative county councillor Leedo George; the home care company he helps run was placed in special measures by regulators, following a damning inspection that branded its services “inadequate”

Liberal Democrats call for Cambridgeshire Tory councillor to quit after care scandal

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Pat Carrington: “I had the privilege of setting up City Culture Peterborough—operating our city’s libraries, the Key Theatre, museum, and Flag Fen. This is such an exciting opportunity, with so much synergy between the College and City Culture. I think I have the best job in the world by caretaking these amazing facilities and services.”

The Peterborough college affair: allegations, resignations, and a wall of silence

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Cllr Nicola Day (left) and Cllr Julie Stevenson; both feel left out of PCRFM debate on showground development

Peterborough councillors question PCRFM’s balance in showground debate

September 12, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Peterborough PCRFM – owned by city councillor Wayne Fitzgerald – sent a glowing letter of support for the AEPG showground proposals; at a planning committee Cllr Fitzgerlad maintained that while he had liaised with AEPG in his role as council leader, he had not formally endorsed their proposals as a councillor and remained open-minded during the committee’s deliberations.

PCRFM, the BBC and a councillor: questions over impartiality in Peterborough Showground saga

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -

Peterborough Museum Gains £168K to Improve Visitor Access and Engagement

0
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Cllr Nicola Day (left) and Cllr Julie Stevenson; both feel left out of PCRFM debate on showground development

Peterborough councillors question PCRFM’s balance in showground debate

0
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Sennitt Clough describes herself as an award-winning poet,, Forward Prize best collection shortlisted poet, magazine editor, creative writing tutor, and local open-mic host. She quit as a councillor on September 4

Whittlesey Conservative councillor Elisabeth Sennit Clough quit on September 4 amid bullying claims

0
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Conservative county councillor Leedo George; the home care company he helps run was placed in special measures by regulators, following a damning inspection that branded its services “inadequate”

Liberal Democrats call for Cambridgeshire Tory councillor to quit after care scandal

0
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -

Peterborough Museum Gains £168K to Improve Visitor Access and Engagement

September 15, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Cllr Nicola Day (left) and Cllr Julie Stevenson; both feel left out of PCRFM debate on showground development

Peterborough councillors question PCRFM’s balance in showground debate

September 12, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Sennitt Clough describes herself as an award-winning poet,, Forward Prize best collection shortlisted poet, magazine editor, creative writing tutor, and local open-mic host. She quit as a councillor on September 4

Whittlesey Conservative councillor Elisabeth Sennit Clough quit on September 4 amid bullying claims

September 12, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Conservative county councillor Leedo George; the home care company he helps run was placed in special measures by regulators, following a damning inspection that branded its services “inadequate”

Liberal Democrats call for Cambridgeshire Tory councillor to quit after care scandal

September 11, 2025

Follow us on Twitter

More News

News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Peterborough PCRFM – owned by city councillor Wayne Fitzgerald – sent a glowing letter of support for the AEPG showground proposals; at a planning committee Cllr Fitzgerlad maintained that while he had liaised with AEPG in his role as council leader, he had not formally endorsed their proposals as a councillor and remained open-minded during the committee’s deliberations.
News

PCRFM, the BBC and a councillor: questions over impartiality in Peterborough Showground saga

September 11, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Rio Leisure And Social Ltd – trading as Rio Bingo – hope to re-open the Blackfriars Road former theatre and bingo hall.
News

New hope for Wisbech Empire as family firm bids to bring back bingo

September 5, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Adrian Miles appeared before Exeter Crown Court in 2022, when he admitted having a sexual interest in children but told the court he wanted to change his ways.
Crime

Cambridgeshire pervert’s web wipe lands him in jail

September 5, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
News

PIGGY MARCH MASTERS THE MAVERICK TO LEAD AT DEFENDER BURGHLEY

September 4, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire -
News

EXCLUSIVE: Council Leader resigns

September 4, 2025
News for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire - Sennitt Clough describes herself as an award-winning poet,, Forward Prize best collection shortlisted poet, magazine editor, creative writing tutor, and local open-mic host. She quit as a councillor on September 4
News

‘Clowns with crayons’: Fenland councillor quits district and town councils

September 4, 2025
  • News
  • Local Council
  • Investigations
  • Things To Do
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© COPYRIGHT - UNIT 2 FENGATE TRADEPARK PETERBOROUGH PE15XB

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • 360 Examples
  • Advertise with us
  • ARTICLE FOOTER NOT FOR PUBLICATION
  • Basket
  • Beer Festival VR 360
  • Buy Adspace
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Cancel donation
  • Cathedral Example 360
  • Cathedral Plan
  • Checkout
  • Checkout
  • Civic Dash
  • Complaints
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • cookie-policy
  • Elementor #420
  • Hide Ads for Premium Members
  • Home
    • CambsNews Live
  • Latest News
  • Media Consent Form
  • Memorial Garden Example
  • My Account
  • My account
  • Notices
  • Notices Form
  • Privacy Policy
  • PU test
  • Sample Page
  • Sample Page
  • Shop
  • SiteMap
  • Submit Your News
  • Support our work.
  • test2
  • Thank you for your donation
  • Upload your ads

© COPYRIGHT - UNIT 2 FENGATE TRADEPARK PETERBOROUGH PE15XB

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?