66A Rook Lane, Chaldon, CR3 5AD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Appeal A: whether the Council's decision to refuse a certificate of lawful use or development was well-founded
• Appeal B (hardstanding): whether the development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt; the effect on openness of the Green Belt; the effect on living conditions of neighbouring occupiers with regard to noise and disturbance; whether harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations
• Appeal B (internal and external alterations): whether the variation of Condition 2 of the 2019 Permission is reasonable and necessary; whether the development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt; the effect on openness of the Green Belt; whether harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations

What decided it

For Appeal A: the absence of a functional relationship between the proposed ancillary uses and the primary garage/workshop use meant the activities would constitute a primary use in their own right, requiring planning permission. For Appeal B (hardstanding): the substantial harm to Green Belt openness and neighbouring living conditions through noise and disturbance, with no very special circumstances to outweigh this harm. For Appeal B (alterations): the alterations did not result in disproportionate additions as the external footprint and volume remained unchanged, falling within the paragraph 154(c) exception.