®Planning appeal decision
Munty Cottage, Churchstanton, Taunton, TA3 7RH
Planning appeal 3313793 at Munty Cottage, Churchstanton, Taunton, TA3 7RH (Somerset West and Taunton *) was dismissed on 10 November 2023 by Inspector O'Doherty A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the appeal site would be a suitable location for new housing, with particular regard to the settlement strategy for the area and the accessibility of services and facilities.
Demolition of outbuilding and erection of 1 No. dwelling with associated works
- Authority
- Somerset West and Taunton *
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- O'Doherty A
- Postcode
- TA3 7RH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the appeal site would be a suitable location for new housing, with particular regard to the settlement strategy for the area and the accessibility of services and facilities
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to the appeal site's location within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
What decided it
The proposal's conflict with the settlement strategy and lack of suitable accessibility to services and facilities, combined with unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the AONB, outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery and sustainability features.
The great weight given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in the AONB and the adverse impacts on both main issues outweighed the moderate weight of collective benefits including housing supply contribution, sustainability features, and self-build status.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP1Policy CP1Policy DM2Policy SB1Policy DM1Policy DM4Policy CP8Policy D7Policy SD1Policy CP4Policy SP4Policy PD2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 15Paragraph 79Paragraph 80Paragraph 105Paragraph 130Paragraph 69Paragraph 120Paragraph 62Paragraph 176
- Judgments
- Braintree DC v SSCLG & Ors [2017] EWHC 2743 (Admin); [2018] EWCA Civ 610
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.