Planning appeal decision
Land at Westwood House , Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire , SL5 8BA
Planning appeal 3321229 at Land at Westwood House , Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire , SL5 8BA (Bracknell Forest Borough Council) was allowed on 27 October 2023 by Inspector Russell M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area.
Residential development comprising the demolition of two existing dwellings and the erection of 20 new dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and access works
- Authority
- Bracknell Forest Borough Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Russell M
- Postcode
- SL5 8BA
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
- whether the development would make adequate provision for affordable housing and any other necessary infrastructure requirements arising from the development
- the effect of the proposal on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA)
What decided it
The engagement of paragraph 11d of the Framework due to the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply meant the presumption in favour of sustainable development applied, and the limited harm to character and appearance was outweighed by the significant benefits of housing delivery and other public benefits.
The limited adverse impacts of the development, comprising some limited harm to character and appearance and limited conflict with design and countryside protection policies, did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the identified benefits of housing delivery (18 net dwellings), use of previously developed land, provision of affordable housing (25%), public infrastructure contributions, biodiversity net gain, and economic and social benefits, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development was engaged and permission should be granted.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy CS7Policy CS9Policy CS6Policy CS8Policy CS14Policy CS16Policy CS17Policy CS24Saved Policy EN1Saved Policy EN3Saved Policy EN8Saved Policy EN20Saved Policy H8Saved Policy R5Saved Policy M4Saved Policy NRM6
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 56Paragraph 180
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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More decisions in Bracknell Forest Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
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- Dismissed22 September 20266010236Knightswood Cottage,, Prince Albert Drive, Ascot, SL58AQ
- Notice upheld23 June 20263377131Mare Lane Farm, Howe Lane, Binfield, Bracknell, RG42 5QP
- Allowed16 June 202660066503 Yew Tree Cottages, Maidens Green, Winkfield, SL4 4SL
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.
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