1 Old Hill , Orpington, Kent, BR6 6BW

proposed to demolish dog groomers and construct a one bedbroom single family dwellinghouse”

Authority: London Borough of Bromley
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Gee R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect on the character and appearance of the area
whether the proposal would provide for acceptable living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to internal and external space standards
the effect of the proposed development on highway safety with particular reference to parking
if the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial weight required to be given to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness is not clearly outweighed by the limited weight of other considerations, including housing supply benefits, such that very special circumstances do not exist.

The substantial weight to be given to the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to character and appearance, living conditions, and highway safety, is not clearly outweighed by the limited weight of housing supply and economic benefits, and the Green Belt provides a clear reason for refusal under the tilted balance.

Framework references: 11, 154, 155

Plan policies cited: Policy 49 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy G2 of The London Plan 2021, Policy D6 of The London Plan 2021, Policy 4 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy 3 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy 8 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy 37 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy 30 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan, Policy 32 of the London Borough of Bromley Local Plan

Judgments cited: Holborn Studios Ltd v The Council of the London Borough of Hackney [2017] EWCH 2823 (Admin)

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.