®Planning appeal decision
Red House Farm Red House Lane, Elstead, GODALMING, GU8 6DR
the erection of extensions and alterations to 2 existing barns to form 1 dwelling following demolition of existing American barn; erection of extension to nissen building to provide ancillary accommodation; demolition of existing outbuildings and landscaping
- Authority
- Waverley Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Woodwards O
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including on the landscape and scenic beauty of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the AONB)
- whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, with particular regard to the exception criteria set out at paragraphs 149(c) and (g) of the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework)
- the effect of the proposal on biodiversity, with particular regard to protected species and the Thursley, Hankley & Frensham Commons Site of Special Scientific Interest (the SSSI)
What decided it
The harm to the landscape and scenic beauty of the Surrey Hills AONB provided a clear reason for refusal that outweighed the limited housing and economic benefits.
the harms identified, particularly to the AONB, outweighed the relatively limited benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits, so the appeal was dismissed
Framework references: 11, 81, 147, 148, 149, 176, 180
Plan policies cited: Policy TD1, Policy D1, Policy D4, Policy RE2, Policy NE1
Judgments cited: Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, R (on the application of) v Epping Forest District Council & Anor (Rev 1) [2016] EWCA Civ 404; Britannia Assets (UK) Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2011] EWHC 1908 (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.