Timbers, Jealous Lane, Boldre, SO41 8PS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would meet the Authority's strategy for the extension of existing dwellings within the New Forest National Park in the context of adopted policy

What decided it

The single storey side extension would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the National Park by exceeding the 30% floorspace limit in Policy DP36, whereas the orangery roof alteration, though technically non-compliant, would not prejudice the policy's aims given the structure's existing use as primary accommodation and the design and thermal benefits of the proposal.

For the side extension: the conflict with Policy DP36 and the Framework's protection of National Park landscape outweighed the appellant's desire for improved living conditions and the availability of a fallback position. For the orangery roof: the limited weight attached to the policy conflict was outweighed by the benefits of thermal efficiency, good design quality, and the structure's existing use as integral habitable accommodation.