Thurlwood House, Bramfield, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 2QG

the installation of 40, stand-alone solar panels

Authority: East Hertfordshire District Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: utilities-energy · Householder developments
Inspector: Plenty B

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the openness of, and purposes of including land within, the Green Belt
Whether the harm caused by the proposal, by virtue of being inappropriate development in the Green Belt, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations to result in 'Very Special Circumstances'

What decided it

The substantial benefits of renewable microgeneration enabling the dwelling to become carbon-free and self-sufficient, combined with the temporary nature of the installation and minimal visual impact, clearly outweighed the harm to Green Belt openness.

Framework references: 142, 152, 153, 154, 155, 161

Plan policies cited: Policy GBR1, Policy CC3

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

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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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