®Planning appeal decision
Land At Former Heathside Nursery and 64 Leyton Cross Road, Wilmington, DA2 7AN
the demolition of 6 no. existing commercial buildings and an existing bungalow with detached garage, including the removal of hardstanding areas and lattice tower mast; creation of new vehicular access and the erection of 27 no. residential dwellings with amenity space, landscaping, parking and infrastructure, as well as the provision of public open space
- Authority
- Dartford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Cryan M
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development within the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, and its effects on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
- The effect of the proposal on living conditions for nearby residents, with particular regard to noise disturbance
- Whether or not the development would make an appropriate provision for affordable housing
- If the development is inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development
What decided it
The proposal fails to meet the exception in paragraph 154(g) of the Framework because it is not limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land, as the entirety of the appeal site is not previously developed land and new buildings would be erected beyond the limits of any previously developed land.
The substantial weight given to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness, loss of openness, conflict with three Green Belt purposes) and harm to character and appearance, together with conflict with development plan policies on sustainable location, was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of housing supply and the significant benefit of affordable housing provision.
Framework references: 11, 135, 142, 143, 152, 153, 154, 65
Plan policies cited: Policy CS13, Policy CS10, Policy CS19, Policy DP22, Policy DP7, Policy DP6, Policy DP5, Policy DP9, Policy DP2, Draft Policy M13, Draft Policy M11, Draft Policy M7, Draft Policy M2, Draft Policy M1
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.