Planning appeal decision
Hornbeam Wood, Common Lane, Batford, Harpenden, AL5 5FF
Planning appeal 3291436 at Hornbeam Wood, Common Lane, Batford, Harpenden, AL5 5FF (St Albans City Council) was dismissed on 2 December 2022 by Inspector Aqbal M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the disputed condition is necessary and reasonable.
Conversion of existing stable to single dwelling to be used ancillary to the existing use of the site, and associated alterations
- Authority
- St Albans City Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Aqbal M
- Postcode
- AL5 5FF
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the disputed condition is necessary and reasonable
What decided it
The disputed condition merely formalises the ancillary nature of the approved dwelling and is therefore necessary and reasonable, as the permission granted is explicitly for accommodation ancillary to the existing animal sanctuary use.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 1 of the St. Albans District Local Plan Review 1994
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 150
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
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in St Albans City Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2022
- Planning permission granted15 September 20263311314Land at Former Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL2 3NY
- Dismissed10 July 20266008445202 Radlett Road, Frogmore, St Albans, AL2 2EN
- Planning permission granted8 July 2026337492139 The Broadway, Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 9LW
- Notice upheld8 July 2026336000739 The Broadway, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, AL4 8LW
- Dismissed10 June 20266005367Beaumont Hall Lane, Redbourn Road, Redbourn, AL3 6RN
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.
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