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Notice varied and upheld26 July 20233289912

Twin Oaks Longwater Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4NX

Planning appeal 3289912 at Twin Oaks Longwater Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4NX (Wokingham Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 26 July 2023 by Inspector Freer P, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect, if any, of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Change of use of land to form a caravan site, for the provision of four additional caravans (total of six), a structure for recreational/schooling purposes and ancillary hard surfacing (part retrospective)

Authority
Wokingham Borough Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Inquiry
Development
caravan-gypsy · Other minor developments
Inspector
Freer P
Postcode
RG40 4NX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect, if any, of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
  • whether the proposed development would result in a net loss of biodiversity on the appeal site itself

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to landscape character and biodiversity was not outweighed by the appellants' personal circumstances, particularly since the existing lawful caravan site was found capable of accommodating their needs without further harmful development.

The significant weight given to the appellants' personal circumstances and their children's need for privacy was outweighed by the harm to the character and appearance of the valued landscape and the net loss of biodiversity, compounded by the availability of the lawful caravan site to meet their needs, so the balance tipped against granting planning permission.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy CP1Policy CP3Policy CP7Policy CP11Policy CC01Policy CC02Policy TB10Policy TB21Policy TB23Policy H11Policy ADH6
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 174
Judgments
Burdle & Williams v SSE & New Forest DC [1972] 1 WLR 1207; Lisa Smith v SSLUHC [2022] EWCA 1391

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Wokingham Borough Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023

  1. Notice varied and upheld1 May 20263346384
    Old Billingbear Brickworks, Carters Hill, Binfield, Wokingham, RG40 5RS
  2. Notice varied and upheld4 March 20263358834
    Bluebell Farm, Commonfield Lane, Wokingham, RG40 4RP
  3. Planning permission granted16 January 20253342197
    Poppies Farm , Pound Lane , Hurst Wokingham , RG10 0RS
  4. Notice varied and upheld7 January 20253311592
    Land at New Acres, Nine Mile Road, Wokingham, RG40 3LZ
  5. Notice varied and upheld9 December 20243344473
    Brookfield Farm Old Wokingham Road, Wokingham, RG40 3BU

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.