®Planning appeal decision
Land East of Station Road, Blunham, MK44 3NZ
Planning appeal 3291216 at Land East of Station Road, Blunham, MK44 3NZ (Central Bedfordshire) was dismissed on 13 April 2023 by Inspector Aqbal M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would affect the significance of the Blunham Conservation Area and the setting of other designated heritage assets.
construction of 20 residential dwellings with associated parking, public open space, landscaping and access. (Revised application)
- Authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Aqbal M
- Postcode
- MK44 3NZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would affect the significance of the Blunham Conservation Area and the setting of other designated heritage assets
- Whether or not the appeal site represents an appropriate location for housing having regard to the spatial strategy for the area including safeguarding the character and appearance of the area
- Whether the proposal makes appropriate provision for affordable housing, local infrastructure and facilities to make the development acceptable in planning terms
What decided it
The less than substantial harm to the significance of the Blunham Conservation Area and the setting of the Grade II listed Blunham House, to which great weight must be given, is not outweighed by the social, economic and environmental benefits of the proposal.
The significant benefits of 100% affordable housing delivery, employment creation, infrastructure improvements and environmental enhancements do not outweigh the less than substantial harm to heritage assets (to which great weight must be given) and the harm to character and appearance, and therefore do not justify departure from the development plan
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP7Policy H5Policy H4Policy EE5Policy EE4Policy HQ1Policy HQ2Policy EE13Policy HE3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 72Paragraph 79Paragraph 174Paragraph 195
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 appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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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.