Rowhill Mount, Rowhill Road, DARTFORD, DA2 7QG

part-retrospective planning application for the erection of a replacement front boundary wall, fencing and gates, as well as associated works

Authority: Dartford Borough Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: other · Householder developments
Inspector: Buchanan R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the close boarded fence or the metal railing fences is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to local and national planning policy
if the close boarded fence or the metal railing fences is inappropriate development, the effect on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect of the close boarded fence and the metal railing fences on the character and appearance of the area, including the effect of these fences and the weld mesh fence and the brick wall on trees protected by a tree preservation order
whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, or any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations to amount to very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The close boarded fence causes both moderate harm to Green Belt openness and significant unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the rural lane, and these harms are not outweighed by the appellants' personal circumstances or other considerations.

Framework references: 137, 145, 148, 149

Plan policies cited: CS13(a), DP22(1), DP22(2), DP2, DP7, M13, M11

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

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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.

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