®Planning appeal decision
Eastfield Stables, May Walk, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8SS
improvements to existing site access, formation of new internal road, tree planting and landscaping, construction of 11 dwellings and associated infrastructure
- Authority
- Uttlesford District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Biggers P
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the location is an appropriate one for housing
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the rural setting and surroundings
- whether development of the site for housing would require a planning obligation to secure affordable housing
What decided it
The harm to the character and appearance of the rural area from spreading development across greenfield paddocks, combined with the poor relationship to nearby settlements and the failure to secure affordable housing through a legal agreement, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest contribution to housing supply.
The modest contribution of 11 units to the housing shortfall was outweighed by the harm to rural character and appearance and the conflict with affordable housing policy, such that the tilted balance did not justify departure from development plan policies.
Framework references: 79, 174, 57, 69, 11
Plan policies cited: Policy S1, Policy S3, Policy S7, Policy GEN2, Policy H9
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.