December 2025

Matt has successfully received a positive joint appeal decision in support of a Special Educational Needs Provider in Shamley Green, Surrey. The registered SEN School (Elysian) provides alternative therapeutic education for teenagers and young adults that would otherwise find mainstream education challenging.

On two separate submissions the planning committee at Waverley Borough Council refused planning permission for the permanent retention of a temporary classroom and use of garage as a medical room, and separately for an extension to the riding arena with viewing barn. The applications were refused on matters relating to the Green Belt and Ecology.

In submitting the appeal, Matt prepared a comprehensive statement of case setting out exactly why permission should be granted on the basis that the scheme constituted appropriate Green Belt development and if not that there were clear very special circumstances to justify the setting aside of restraint. Matt's statement was also heavily critical of the approach taken by the Council in determining the applications particularly on matters relating to ecology for which the Inspector made an award of costs on.

This is a fantastic result for Elysian and will provide much needed improvements to the quality of the education provided on site helping to meet a critical need in the deliver of SEN provision.

Matt and the team at D&M Planning have extensive experience working with a range of educational settings both private and state run. They are able to successfully navigate the planning space for such provisions, recognising and articulating the importance that education has to the whole of society and the various planning benefits which can be achieved from such. This experience is furthered by the teams' life outside of the company with Matt sitting as a Governor at a local primary school, and three of the teams' partners working within school settings. Please do reach out if you are looking for support on such matters.