®Planning appeal decision
129C High Street, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3HS
Planning appeal 3328147 at 129C High Street, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 3HS (Stevenage Borough Council) was dismissed on 12 July 2024 by Inspector Gilbert-Wooldridge T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including Old Town Conservation Area, and the special interest and setting of the Grade II listed buildings at 123 to 129 High Street.
demolition of single storey element fronting onto Church Lane and its redevelopment with 4 x 1 bedroom flats, retention of 2-storey section fronting onto Letchmore Road and conversion into a 1-bedroom dwelling
- Authority
- Stevenage Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Gilbert-Wooldridge T
- Postcode
- SG1 3HS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including Old Town Conservation Area, and the special interest and setting of the Grade II listed buildings at 123 to 129 High Street
- the living conditions of future occupants of the development with regard to private outdoor space, privacy, outlook, and the fear of crime
- highway safety
What decided it
The less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated heritage assets could not be outweighed by the public benefits of five additional housing units and pavement widening, contrary to NPPF paragraphs 205, 206 and 208.
The less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed buildings and conservation area was weighed against the public benefits of five additional housing units (moderate weight in social and economic terms) and pavement widening (moderate weight); the heritage harm was given considerable importance and weight, outweighing the public benefits.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP8Policy HO5Policy GD1Policy TC9Policy SP5Policy SP6Policy IT5
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 96Paragraph 114Paragraph 115Paragraph 131Paragraph 135Paragraph 139Paragraph 195Paragraph 205Paragraph 206Paragraph 208
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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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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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.