Crowsheath Farm Hawkswood Road, Downham, BILLERICAY, CM11 1JT

retention of stone wall

Authority: Chelmsford Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: other · Other minor developments
Inspector: Smith D

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Effect on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
Effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
Effect on the ecological value of the site
Whether other considerations clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm so as to amount to very special circumstances

What decided it

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt, combined with significant harm to character and appearance and unresolved negative biodiversity impacts, could not be outweighed by the security justification and other considerations advanced.

Plan policies cited: Policy DM23, Policy DM16, Policy S1, Policy S11, Policy DM6

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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