Wrens Farm, Ashford Hill, Thatcham, RG19 8BL

Planning appeal 3300238 at Wrens Farm, Ashford Hill, Thatcham, RG19 8BL (Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council) was dismissed on 1 March 2023 by Inspector Conde L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on a) the character and appearance of the area; and b) biodiversity.

Erection of new single storey 4 bed dwelling, detached garage with accommodation above, new access and associated landscaping to the site of existing listed Wren Farm Cottage

Authority: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Conde L
Postcode: RG19 8BL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposed development on a) the character and appearance of the area; and b) biodiversity

What decided it

The adverse impacts of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the rural area, which would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the limited benefits of a single dwelling, even when assessed against the Framework taken as a whole under the tilted balance.

The conflict with development plan policies EM1 and EM10 and the harm to rural character and appearance were given significant weight and substantially outweighed the limited economic, social and environmental benefits of a single dwelling, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy EM1Policy EM10Policy EM4
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 56Paragraph 199Paragraph 200

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.

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The decision letter

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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.