®Planning appeal decision
Builder Yard and Shop, R/o Wexhams, Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, St Albans, Herts, AL2 3RR
described as, “Erection of bungalow to replace 3 existing buildings with passing bay to existing access
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- O'Doherty A
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and the effect on the openness of the Green Belt
- irrespective of any effect on the Green Belt's openness whether the proposal would give rise to other harm
- if the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it
What decided it
The absence of evidence that the existing buildings on site are lawful development means the proposal cannot qualify for the exception at paragraph 149(g) for previously developed land, rendering it inappropriate development in the Green Belt, which carries substantial weight and is not clearly outweighed by other considerations.
the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of reduced floorspace, improved highway safety, and maintained character and appearance
Framework references: 11, 138, 148, 149
Plan policies cited: Policy 1, Policy 70
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.