Planning appeal decision
Hurst Cottage Combe Lane, Wormley, Godalming, GU8 5TE
Planning appeal 3267462 at Hurst Cottage Combe Lane, Wormley, Godalming, GU8 5TE (Waverley Borough Council) was dismissed on 9 June 2021 by Inspector Pipkin 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 National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
erection of a detached dwelling and associated works
- Authority
- Waverley Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- Pipkin R
- Postcode
- GU8 5TE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the Surrey Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV)
- the effect of the proposed development on protected species
- the effect of the proposed development on roadside trees
- if the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations and whether this would amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would cause substantial harm to openness and character, with unresolved ecological concerns, and the modest housing and accessibility benefits cannot outweigh these harms to justify very special circumstances.
The substantial harm from inappropriate development and moderate harm to openness of the Green Belt, combined with harm to character and appearance of the AONB/AGLV and potential ecological harm, outweighed the modest benefits of housing delivery and accessible location; very special circumstances do not exist.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy RE2Policy RE3Policy TD1Policy NE1Policy D4Policy D6Policy D7
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 133Paragraph 143Paragraph 145Paragraph 144Paragraph 99
- Judgments
- Julian Wood v SSCLG and Gravesham Borough Council [2015] EWCA Civ 195
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
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Waverley Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2021
- Dismissed22 October 20266013698Markwick Farmhouse, Markwick Lane, Godalming, GU8 4BE
- Dismissed5 October 20266012552Dene End, Sands Lane, Tilford Nr Farnham, GU10 2BA
- Dismissed5 October 20266011947Land off Station Road, Hydestile, Godalming, GU8 4DB
- Dismissed5 October 20266009555Combe Farm, Alldens Lane, Godalming, GU8 4AP
- Dismissed22 July 20266008792Mossy Copse, Smithwood Common Rd, Cranleigh, GU6 8QR
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.
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