7 Caves Lane, BEDFORD, MK40 3DR

single storey rear extension, front porch and loft conversion with two side dormers and increase to ridge height

Authority: Bedford Borough Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Chalk M

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect on the character and appearance of the area
The effect on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, in particular of 9 Caves Lane

What decided it

The proposed increase in ridge height and addition of side dormers would significantly unbalance the mirrored pair of houses and appear incongruous in the street scene, causing harm to the character and appearance of the area contrary to the development plan.

Plan policies cited: Policy 28S, Policy 29, Policy 30, Policy 32

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.
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