Redwings, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, WICKFORD, Essex, SS11 7QL

Without planning permission, the material change of use of the land for the sale and storage of motor vehicles with associated development comprising the construction of a hard surface, earth bunds, perimeter fence and entrance gates

Authority: Chelmsford Borough Council
Appeal type: enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: employment-industrial · Major retail and services
Inspector: King T

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt and, if so, the effect on the Green Belt's openness
the effect of the development on the character of the land and the surrounding landscape
if it is 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 the development

What decided it

The development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that materially harms openness, and the economic benefits and community support do not amount to very special circumstances sufficient to outweigh this harm.

Framework references: 147, 148, 149, 150

Plan policies cited: Policy DM9, Policy S8, Policy S1, Policy S11, Policy DM10, Policy DM23

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.

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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