Planning appeal decision
14 Speakmans Drive, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9AT
Planning appeal 3308336 at 14 Speakmans Drive, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9AT (West Lancashire District Council) was dismissed on 21 June 2023 by Inspector Brook S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and any relevant development plan policies.
Proposed renovation and conversion of an existing outbuilding (former workers' cottage) to a detached dwelling
- Authority
- West Lancashire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Brook S
- Postcode
- WN6 9AT
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and any relevant development plan policies
- The effect of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the building and the area
- If the development is inappropriate, whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The building was not of permanent and substantial construction, and the proposal would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt, making it inappropriate development that could not be justified by very special circumstances.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy GN1Policy GN3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 138Paragraph 148Paragraph 149Paragraph 150
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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- Allowed14 September 20266007163Prince Williams Inn, Beacon Lane, Dalton, WN8 7RU
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.
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