Planning appeal decision
Cromer Hyde Farm, Lemsford, Hertfordshire, AL8 7XD
Planning appeal 3328201 at Cromer Hyde Farm, Lemsford, Hertfordshire, AL8 7XD (Welwyn Hatfield Council) was dismissed on 1 July 2024 by Inspector Reid L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including the effect on openness.
change of use of land to equestrian, incorporating the erection of an equestrian stable building, horse walker and siting of a portacabin
- Authority
- Welwyn Hatfield Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Reid L
- Postcode
- AL8 7XD
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether or not the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including the effect on openness
- Whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The proposal fails to preserve the openness of the Green Belt and does not qualify for the outdoor sport and recreation exception under NPPF paragraph 154(b), and the economic benefits do not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- SADM 34SP 3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 154Paragraph 153
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


More decisions in Welwyn Hatfield
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Dismissed5 October 202660098922A Whitehill, Welwyn, AL6 9AF
- Dismissed9 September 20266010292Rose Cottage, Kentish Lane, Hatfield, AL9 6JP
- Dismissed28 May 2026600320349 The Ridgeway, Cuffley, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4BD
- Dismissed27 May 20266003536East Lodge, Judge's Hill, Northaw, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4NL
- Planning permission granted6 March 2026335467120 Ayot Green, Ayot St. Peter, Welwyn, AL6 9AB
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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