®Planning appeal decision
Shepherds Copse, Wambrook, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3DF
described in the application as new two-storey dwelling and ancillary garage/workshop
- Authority
- South Somerset District Council *
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Hills J
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the site is a suitable location for the proposed development having regard to the provisions of local and national policy and the accessibility of services and facilities
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
- highway safety
- biodiversity
What decided it
The proposal conflicts with the development plan on multiple grounds (location, character and appearance, highway safety and biodiversity) and the Framework provides a clear reason for dismissal due to harm to the AONB, which cannot be outweighed by the modest housing contribution.
Although the Council cannot demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, the Framework's footnote 7 provides a clear reason for dismissal because the scheme would not preserve or enhance the AONB; the modest housing contribution and short-term employment benefits weigh moderately in favour but are substantially outweighed by the conflicts with development plan policies and the environmental harm.
Framework references: 9, 15, 180
Plan policies cited: Policy SD1, Policy SS1, Policy SS2, Policy EQ2, Policy EQ4, Policy EQ5, Policy EQ6, Policy TA5, Policy TA6
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.