®Planning appeal decision
Finns Cottage known as Cricket Pavilion, Blackheath Lane, Wonersh, Guildford, GU5 0RF
change of use/conversion of former pavilion building together with alterations to independent self-contained dwelling
- Authority
- Waverley Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Miles H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the site is suitable for the proposed development, having regard to its accessibility to services and facilities
What decided it
The significant harm arising from the site's poor accessibility and reliance on private car use, which would not promote sustainable transport modes or enhance the rural community's vitality, significantly and demonstrably outweighs the modest benefits of housing delivery and building reuse.
The modest benefits of providing one dwelling and reusing an existing building were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm from unsustainable location and reliance on private car use, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.
Framework references: 11, 84, 114
Plan policies cited: Policy RE2 of the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 1 (2018), Policy DM14 of the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 (2023), Policy ST1 of the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 1, Policy DM15 of the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2, Policy SP2 of the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 1
Judgments cited: Braintree DC v SSCLG, Greyread Ltd & Granville Developments Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 610
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.