Planning appeal decision
31 Wood Lane, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9SJ
Planning appeal 3308686 at 31 Wood Lane, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9SJ (South Oxfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 21 February 2023 by Inspector Howell M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.
the change of use and extension of 31 Wood Lane from offices (Use Class E) to 7 residential dwellings (Use Class C3)
- Authority
- South Oxfordshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Howell M
- Postcode
- RG4 9SJ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- whether the proposed development would provide adequate accommodation for future occupants, with regard to outdoor space
What decided it
The proposed development would result in adverse impacts on both the character and appearance of the area through excessive density and massing, and on living conditions through inadequate private outdoor space for future occupants.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DES1Policy DES2Policy DES5Policy D1 of the Sonning Common Neighbourhood Development Plan 2021-2035
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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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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