Wheelchair user’s Telford extension plans dismissed again by planning inspector
Planning permission for extensions to the house has been denied.
A wheelchair user’s fifth attempt to get planning permission for extensions to a Telford house has been denied by a planning inspector.
Paul Smith had told inspector Andrew Fulford that a single storey side and rear extension at a house in Jubilee Avenue, Donnington were to “enable safe and dignified occupation” of the property.
Applicant Paul Smith has made various attempts since 2023 to make changes to his home, now taking plans through to appeal stage on three occasions.
The latest move to the inspectors followed a Telford & Wrekin Council refusal in January, 2026.
Previously an inspector had ruled that the benefits of such a scheme to him did not outweigh the planning ‘harms’.
This time the appellant believed the scheme is ‘smaller’, causes ‘no harm to the main neighbour’, is proportionate and attracted “multiple letters of support.”
But the inspector ruled that there “has been no notable change to the proposed extension since the previous appeal decision.”
The inspector added that they are “sympathetic to the circumstances of the occupant of the property” and added that meeting the specific needs of the occupier would be a “notable benefit.”
“However, whilst this is something that weighs in support of the proposal, it does not outweigh the significant harm to the character and appearance of the area identified above.”
The inspector concluded that it is “necessary and proportionate to dismiss the appeal.”
The inspector, who visited the area on March 13, ruled that the extension “is of such a scale that it would visually overwhelm the appearance of the dwelling and would dominate the spacious area around the house,” wrote the inspector.
“Given its size and elevated position, the proposed extension with an incongruous flat roof would appear unduly prominent thereby materially harming the character and appearance of the area.”
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