®Planning appeal decision
Land north west of 49 West Croft, Orwell, Cambridgeshire, SG8 5PW
outline planning application with all matters reserved (except for access) for 5 self-build/custom build dwellings and garages, as well as public open space, landscaping, and all other associated infrastructure
- Authority
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Billings C
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed development would be in an appropriate location, having regard to the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the open countryside
- the effect of the proposed development on agricultural land
- the planning balance, including whether permission should be granted having regard to the duty set out in sections 2 and 2A of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended)
What decided it
The significant harm to character and appearance of the countryside, inappropriate location outside the settlement boundary, and loss of agricultural land, combined with the Council's adequate housing land supply meaning full weight must be afforded to development plan policies, outweighed the benefit of delivering self-build housing.
The substantial benefit of delivering 5 self-build/custom build dwellings to meet significant unmet demand, together with other economic and environmental benefits, was outweighed by the great weight attached to the conflict with development plan policies regarding location, character and appearance, and agricultural land loss, resulting in dismissal.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy S/2, Policy S/6, Policy S/7, Policy S/10, Policy S/12, Policy H/9, Policy TI/2, Policy HQ/1, Policy NH/2, Policy NH/3
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.