®Planning appeal decision
Re-Charge One at the A3 Buriton Interchange, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5SX
a change of use and redevelopment of the site to provide a recharge centre for electrically powered vehicles, with control and battery room and secure area for the delivery and storage of Bio Gas. Up to 60 eco-lodges (Use Class C1), and engineering work to create an earth sheltered block comprising up to 1,330m2 of tunnel floor space for a flexible mix of uses within classes C1 and E(a)(b)(c). The formation of a two-way entrance off the B2070, the laying of a perimeter vehicular access road, with link roads, cycle tracks, and areas of hardstanding to provide up to 127 parking spaces. Engineering work for the purpose of landscaping and operations to install drainage infrastructure
- Authority
- South Downs
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- leisure-sport · Other Major Developments
- Inspector
- Boniface M
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would conserve or enhance the National Park's landscape and scenic beauty
- Whether the proposal constitutes 'major development', and if so, whether there are exceptional circumstances indicating that the development would be in the public interest
What decided it
The site's isolated, already-degraded landscape context meant the development would cause only minor landscape, visual and dark-sky harm, which was clearly outweighed by the substantial benefits of much-needed EV charging infrastructure and tourist accommodation delivered sustainably.
The great weight attached to minor landscape and dark-sky harm was outweighed by the substantial weight given to the benefits of EV charging provision, tourist accommodation, renewable energy and biodiversity net gain, such that the proposal accorded with the development plan as a whole and permission was granted.
Framework references: 176, 177
Plan policies cited: Policy SD1, Policy SD2, Policy SD3, Policy SD4, Policy SD5, Policy SD6, Policy SD7, Policy SD8, Policy SD9, Policy SD23, Policy SD25, Policy SD38, Policy SD42, Policy SD45, Policy SD48
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.