®Planning appeal decision
Wharf Engineering, 41 Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0AT
Planning appeal 3262089 at Wharf Engineering, 41 Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 0AT (Central Bedfordshire) was dismissed on 4 March 2022 by Inspector Fallon R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to plot 3.
described on the application form as “Converting the existing workshop into two dwellings, with partial demolition of existing workshop, and erection of detached barn cottage
- Authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Fallon R
- Postcode
- SG18 0AT
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to plot 3
- the living conditions of adjoining occupiers at plot 30 on the new development to the west of the site and future occupiers of the dwelling on plot 3, with particular regard to visual impact and outlook
What decided it
The harm to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers at plot 30 from the visual intrusion and oppressive appearance of the proposed dwelling on plot 3, combined with the conflict with development plan policies and the absence of a presumption in favour of sustainable development, justified dismissal of the appeal.
The substantial weight given to brownfield reuse and efficient use of land, together with limited benefits from housing contribution and local employment, was outweighed by the harm to neighbouring living conditions and the conflict with development plan policies, particularly given the Council's up-to-date five-year housing land supply and the availability of the 2021 planning permission as a fallback.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP1Policy SP7Policy HE3Policy HQ1Policy HQ8
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 120Paragraph 124Paragraph 130Paragraph 197
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.