126 Cross Oak Road, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 3NA

the erection of 2 no. detached dwellings

Authority: Dacorum Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Buchanan R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
its effect on the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with development plan policies protecting character and appearance and designated habitats sites, and these conflicts are not outweighed by the modest housing benefits in circumstances where the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply due to the habitats site protection.

The modest social, economic and environmental benefits of providing two houses (moderate weight) were substantially outweighed by the substantial weight given to unacceptable harm to character and appearance and conflict with nature conservation policy protecting the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC.

Framework references: 11

Plan policies cited: Policy CS12(f), Policy CS12(g), Policy CS26, Appendix 3 of the Council's Local Plan 2004

Judgments cited: Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd v SSE [JPL 1982 P37]

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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