®Planning appeal decision
National Grid Mill Hill Substation , Land West of National Grid Mill Hill Substation , Mill Hill, NW7 1NT
Planning appeal 3298962 at National Grid Mill Hill Substation , Land West of National Grid Mill Hill Substation , Mill Hill, NW7 1NT (London Borough of Barnet) was allowed on 13 March 2023 by Inspector Plenty B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the openness of, and purposes of including land within, the Green Belt.
the installation of a battery storage facility including inverter and transformer stations, battery storage containers, other associated infrastructure works, security fencing and lighting
- Authority
- London Borough of Barnet
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- utilities-energy · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Plenty B
- Postcode
- NW7 1NT
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the openness of, and purposes of including land within, the Green Belt
- Whether any harm caused by the proposal, by virtue of being inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and any other identified harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations to result in 'Very Special Circumstances'
What decided it
The substantial public benefits of supporting renewable energy infrastructure and the UK's transition to net zero carbon, combined with the severe locational constraints that make this the only viable site in the London area, clearly outweigh the moderate harm to Green Belt openness and encroachment.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- London Plan Policy G2Barnet Core Strategy Policy CS7Barnet Development Management Policies Policy DM15Barnet Development Management Policies Policy DM16London Plan Policy SI1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 137Paragraph 138Paragraph 147Paragraph 148Paragraph 149Paragraph 150Paragraph 158Paragraph 174Paragraph 185
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
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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.