Michael Commissioners win appeal against minibus parking at school

Tue, 24 Dec 2019

Story by Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne

Michael Commissioners have stopped the Department of Infrastructure from leaving its ‘dial-a-ride’ minibuses in the village primary school’s car park.

The local authority successfully appealed against a bid by the DOI to use school grounds to park two of its vehicles.

The department was granted approval in May after seeking retrospective planning permission to leave the minibuses at the site, but this has since been rejected.

An independent inspector found in favour of the local authority’s case, and Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot overturned the bid.

Failure to provide safe access, the effect on the townscape and on residents views, were reasons given to justify the decision.

Residents and the Friends of Michael School had called upon the commissioners to appeal on their behalf.