®Planning appeal decision
171-175 Smallfield Road, Horley, RH6 9LR
an outline planning application for the erection of 11no. dwellings with associated access. Alterations to No.175 Smallfield Road to facilitate access. All other matters to be reserved
- Authority
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Hendley D
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be in a suitable location for housing, including with regard to the effect on the character and appearance of the area
- the effect on flood risk
- the effect on biodiversity interests, in particular protected species
- the effect on the amenity value of the trees
- the provision of affordable housing
- if there is harm, whether this is outweighed by housing land supply and other considerations
What decided it
The cumulative harm from an unsuitable location for housing, failure of the flood risk sequential test, and unacceptable effect on protected species outweighed the benefits of housing and affordable housing delivery.
the significant benefits of housing delivery, affordable housing, social well-being and economic benefits did not outweigh the very significant harm from an unsuitable location, unacceptable flood risk, and harm to biodiversity interests
Framework references: 11, 74, 162, 174
Plan policies cited: Policy NHE7, Policy CS10, Policy DES1, Policy DES2, Policy NHE1, Policy NHE2, Policy NHE3, Policy CCF2, Policy DES6, Policy CS13, Policy CS6, Policy MLS1
Judgments cited: Wainhomes (North-West) Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government [2020] EWHC 2294 (Admin)
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.