Thundry Farm, Farnham Road , Elstead , Surrey , GU8 6LE

conversion of existing Barn A to create a dwelling

Authority: Waverley Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Buchanan R

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the Surrey Hills National Landscape and an Area of Great Landscape Value
its effect on the living conditions of future occupants having regard to privacy

What decided it

The application of policies in the NPPF that protect the Surrey Hills National Landscape, an area of particular importance, provides a clear reason for refusing the proposal such that the tilted balance does not apply and the benefits do not outweigh the harm to landscape character and living conditions.

The modest benefits of housing delivery and environmental measures were outweighed by substantial harm to the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Area of Great Landscape Value and to the living conditions of future occupants, with the protection of the National Landscape providing a clear reason for refusal that disapplies the tilted balance.

Framework references: 11

Plan policies cited: Policy RE3, Policy TD1, Policy DM4, Policy DM15, Policy DM5

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.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

Every English appeal since 2016, with the letter behind it wherever the Inspectorate published one. Searched by meaning as well as by words, with the key case law counted live across the letters.

Casework that chases the deadlines. Applications, appeals and conditions with their statutory dates.

The judgement stays yours. The tool gathers the material and dates it.