Inspector, Appeal Decision.“….the acceptability of the scheme turns on its specific contribution to addressing the pressing need for ABI care facilities…..”
Our client Enable Care has finally achieved planning permission for a 40 bed specialist ABI unit in Upminster. HPC was delighted to advise throughout the process, with Expert Witness evidence provided by Nigel Newton Taylor at appeal.
Having refused consent for a specialist Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation unit during the application process, the London Borough of Havering ultimately decided against defending its position in the days leading up to Inquiry. The Council’s case was heavily reliant upon the location of the site within designated Green Belt. Ultimately, though, the Inspector found the site to comprise grey belt land and concluded, in doing so, that the proposal would not be inappropriate development in the Green Belt and, in this respect, would accord with the relevant aims of Policy G2 of the London Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.
The appeal was allowed by way of decision dated 21st January 2026.
Did you know that circa. 82% of commissioning authorities have no option but to place persons in need of specialist ABI rehabilitation outside their own geographical area due to lack of appropriate care provision? Staggering!
