®Planning appeal decision
Re-Charge One at the A3 Buriton Interchange, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5SX
Planning appeal 3308885 at Re-Charge One at the A3 Buriton Interchange, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5SX (South Downs) was allowed on 29 March 2023 by Inspector Boniface M, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would conserve or enhance the National Park's landscape and scenic beauty.
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.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SD1Policy SD2Policy SD3Policy SD4Policy SD5Policy SD6Policy SD7Policy SD8Policy SD9Policy SD23Policy SD25Policy SD38Policy SD42Policy SD45Policy SD48
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 176Paragraph 177
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
More decisions in South Downs
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Dismissed28 May 20266004671Reeves Britannia, 140 The Causeway, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4LL
- Dismissed30 March 20263363988Findon Court, Findon Road, Findon, West Sussex, BN14 0RA
- Dismissed27 February 20266001142Flying Bull, London Road, Rake, Rogate, GU33 7JB
- Dismissed19 February 20263367125Ivy Cottage, Vernon Hill, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, SO32 1FH
- Notice upheld9 February 20263346595Moodys Meadow, Petersfield Road, Bramdean, Hampshire, SO24 0JX
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.