®Planning appeal decision
Land At Willetts and Paulls Copse, Chilworthy Lane, Peasmarsh, Ilminster, Somerset , TA10 0SH
Planning appeal 3318156 at Land At Willetts and Paulls Copse, Chilworthy Lane, Peasmarsh, Ilminster, Somerset , TA10 0SH (South Somerset District Council *) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 30 January 2024 by Inspector Graham J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the matters alleged in the notice have occurred (ground b).
Without planning permission (1) the material change of use of the land from forestry to a mixed use of forestry and domestic leisure use by the siting of a trailer mounted timber structure, wooden compost toilet and importation and deposit of hardcore, and (2) the unauthorised operational development consisting of a wooden compost toilet building, structures used for the storage of items such as a tractor, quad bike and wood chipper and other associated equipment and the laying of a hardstanding area
- Authority
- South Somerset District Council *
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- other · Change of use
- Inspector
- Graham J
- Postcode
- TA10 0SH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the matters alleged in the notice have occurred (ground b)
- Whether the matters alleged constitute a breach of planning control and whether they constitute permitted development (ground c)
- Whether the enforcement notice was issued within the time limit for taking enforcement action (ground d)
- The effect of the development on the natural environment and character of the appeal site, which is designated Ancient Woodland (ground a)
What decided it
The material change of use to mixed forestry and domestic leisure use, facilitated by structures that adversely affected the Ancient Woodland's ecosystem through soil compaction and loss of native shrub and ground flora, conflicts with NPPF paragraph 186 and local plan policies protecting ancient woodland, with no wholly exceptional reasons to justify the development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy EQ4Policy EQ6
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 186
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.