®Planning appeal decision
The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, Faldo Road, Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RF
Planning appeal 3334284 at The Olde Watermill Shopping Village, Faldo Road, Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire, MK45 4RF (Central Bedfordshire) was dismissed on 15 May 2026 by Inspector Ghafoor A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
the material change of use of the land to a use for the sale and storage of motor vehicles and the creation of a hard surface to facilitate the use. The requirements of the enforcement notice are to 1) Cease the unauthorised use of the land for the storage and sale of motor vehicles, and 2) remove from the land the hard surface and return the land to its condition prior to the unauthorised use. The period for compliance with the requirements is 4 months for step 1) and 5 months for step 2). The appeal is proceeding on the grounds set out in section 174(2) (a) and (g) of the Act. This
- Authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- employment-industrial · Change of use
- Inspector
- Ghafoor A
- Postcode
- MK45 4RF
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- Effect on openness and character and appearance
- Effect of the development on the setting of the nearby listed building
- Effect on ecology and watercourse
- 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 development
What decided it
The substantial weight given to the inappropriate nature of the development in the Green Belt, harm to openness, conflict with Green Belt purposes, and harm to the heritage asset's setting were not outweighed by the limited economic and social benefits advanced.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- SP4HQ1HE1EE2EE3CC4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 135Paragraph 143Paragraph 154Paragraph 155Paragraph 192Paragraph 193Paragraph 194Paragraph 195Paragraph 212Paragraph 213Paragraph 214Paragraph 215
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.