Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) is facing a hefty bill following an appeal against a planning decision it made against the advice of its professional advisers.

An inspector appointed by Welsh ministers has upheld an appeal against MCC’s decision to turn down the erection of a new dwelling house in Raglan - DC/2018/00096. The controversial planning application for a 130 sq metre two-storey dwelling house in the garden area at 6 Caestory Avenue - recommended for refusal by the community council - was turned down by county planners for the reasons that the proposed dwelling was considered to be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the local area.

Over 60 objections by members of the public were placed on the planning portal for MCC with many objecting to the loss of privacy of neighbouring properties and the over development of the site.

With an overall height of 8.3 metres, Planning Inspector Mr Wyn Jones said the building would be ’no taller than would be expected’ of modern two-storey houses. He noted that the house would be ’significantly’ set back from Caestory Avenue and would be visible only through gaps between the street’s houses.

"I have found the scheme acceptable in relation to all the matters raised in objection," said Mr Wyn Jones.

The applicant, Clare O’keeffe of Bassaleg, appealed against the decision, upheld on the grounds of: "the unreasonable actions of the council in refusing permission against the advice of its professional advisers without any objective analysis to support its decision." The document went on to say: "Local planning authorities are not bound to adopt the professional or technical advice given by their own officers. However, they are expected to show that they had reasonable planning grounds for taking a decision contrary to such advice and that they are able to produce relevant evidence to support their decision. If they fail to do so, costs may be awarded against the authority.