Planning appeal decision
Riverside House, Newnham Bridge, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9EU
Planning appeal 3324407 at Riverside House, Newnham Bridge, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9EU (North Devon District Council) was dismissed on 15 January 2024 by Inspector White J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
demolition of existing workshop building and erection of a detached house with an integral garage, amenity space, car parking, access and landscaping, together with a change of use from two houses to one house by the re- integration of an existing annex dwelling into the main house
- Authority
- North Devon District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- White J
- Postcode
- EX37 9EU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- whether the proposed development would provide a suitable location for housing having regard to the provisions of the local settlement strategy
What decided it
The significant and permanent harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area caused by the proposed dwelling's greater visual prominence, scale and contemporary design, which would not respond to the local building vernacular and would harmfully contrast with the verdant and spacious countryside character.
The significant harm to character and appearance, which conflicts with the development plan as a whole, outweighed the limited benefits of improved housing stock, highway safety improvements, and biodiversity gains, and the fact that the proposal would not increase residential units on the site.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ST04Policy DM04Policy DM08APolicy ST07Policy ST02Policy DM26
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 83Paragraph 12Paragraph 2
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 North Devon
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
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- Dismissed3 August 20266010545Land South of Four Crossway, Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, EX32 7JL
- Dismissed24 June 20266005672Land off Bottoms Lane, Darracott, EX33 1JY
- Allowed18 June 20266006157Horseshoe Lodge, Burrington, Umberleigh, EX37 9LH
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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