Deerleap Bungalow, Coast Hill Lane, Westcott Dorking, Surrey, RH4 3LH

demolition of existing dwelling and multiple structures on site, and erection of new partially submerged dwelling with integral garage and s edum roof

Authority: Mole Valley District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Clark J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt
the effect of the proposal on openness
the effect of the proposal on the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The proposal would be materially larger than the dwelling it replaces and therefore constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt, with harm to openness that carries substantial weight and is not clearly outweighed by other considerations.

Plan policies cited: Policy RUD8, Policy CS 13, Policy P2, Policy CS 14, Policy ENV22, Policy ENV23, Policy ENV24

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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