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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld19 January 20233267086

Land on the North-West Side of The Ridgeway, Northaw, EN6 4BQ

Planning appeal 3267086 at Land on the North-West Side of The Ridgeway, Northaw, EN6 4BQ (Welwyn Hatfield Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 19 January 2023 by Inspector Jones R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the NPPF and relevant development plan policies.

Material change of use of land to mixed use comprising forestry use, leisure use and dog walking/exercise associated with a non-profit organisation, including stationing of caravan and portable building, importation of hardcore and materials, erection of fences and gate, and miscellaneous items

Authority
Welwyn Hatfield Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector
Jones R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the NPPF and relevant development plan policies
  • the effect on the openness of the Green Belt
  • the effect on the character and appearance of the area
  • the effect on the ancient woodland
  • the effect on the SSSI
  • if the development is inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The material change of use to a mixed leisure and dog walking use in the Green Belt, combined with facilitating structures and hardstandings that harm openness and the character of ancient woodland, constitutes inappropriate development for which no very special circumstances exist to justify permission.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy GBSP1Policy RA10Policy D1Policy D2Policy R17Policy R13Emerging Policy SADM 34
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 149Paragraph 150Paragraph 175

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Welwyn Hatfield

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023

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    2A Whitehill, Welwyn, AL6 9AF
  2. Dismissed9 September 20266010292
    Rose Cottage, Kentish Lane, Hatfield, AL9 6JP
  3. Dismissed28 May 20266003203
    49 The Ridgeway, Cuffley, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4BD
  4. Dismissed27 May 20266003536
    East Lodge, Judge's Hill, Northaw, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4NL
  5. Planning permission granted6 March 20263354671
    20 Ayot Green, Ayot St. Peter, Welwyn, AL6 9AB

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.