Cases - Mitchell v Secretary of State for the Environment

Record details

Name
Mitchell v Secretary of State for the Environment
Date
[1994]
Citation
2 PLR 23
Keywords
Planning control
Summary

Planning permission was sought to change the use of a house in multiple occupation as 20 bedsits to use as 7 self-contained flats. Permission was refused by the Secretary of State on the ground that there was a need for multiple occupation for those who needed cheap housing. The Secretary of State's decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Material considerations were not confined to strict questions of amenity or environmental impact and the need for housing in a particular area was a material consideration. No sensible distinction could be drawn between a need for housing generally and a need for particular types of housing.