Bennetts Cottage, Whipsnade, DUNSTABLE, LU6 2LG

the construction of detached carport

Authority: Central Bedfordshire
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: other · Other minor developments
Inspector: Gunn J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect on the character and appearance of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Whipsnade Conservation Area (CA)
if the proposed development is inappropriate, whether the harm to the Green Belt by way of inappropriateness and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt by inappropriateness and loss of openness was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, and very special circumstances did not exist.

Framework references: 149, 148, 176, 197

Plan policies cited: Policy SP4, Policy HQ1, Policy EE7, Policy HE3

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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