®Planning appeal decision
Fortescue Fields Phase II, Norton St Philip, BA2 7PE
full planning permission for 8 dwellings including affordable housing. Formation of a 1.1ha area of open space, linking Church Mead with the Ponds Country Park, a new vehicular access and footpath links. Hard and soft landscaping including significant new planting including improvements to the tree belt along the boundary with Church Mead, ecological and biodiversity enhancements including bat replacement habitat. Car and cycle parking. Associated works
- Authority
- Somerset Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Nicholls H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effects of the scheme on biodiversity, protected species and the designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
- whether the location of the development would accord with the development plan, and whether the scheme would be sustainably located having regard to the accessibility of the settlement and the available range of everyday facilities
- the effects of the proposal on the landscape character and visual amenities of the area, including the village setting of Norton St Philip and whether the scheme would constitute good design
- the effects of the proposal on the significance of the designated heritage assets: Norton St Philip Conservation Area, The George Inn (Grade I listed building) and the Church of St Philip and St James (Grade II* listed building)
What decided it
The Inspector could not conclude beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the scheme would avoid adverse effects on the integrity of the Mells Valley and BBA SACs, which provided a strong reason for refusal and disapplied the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The benefits of housing delivery (including affordable housing), sustainable location, public open space and economic benefits did not outweigh the conflict with the development plan taken as a whole, including the unresolved harm to SAC integrity which provided a strong reason for refusal.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Core Policy 1, Core Policy 2, Core Policy 4, Policy DP1, Policy DP3, Policy DP4, Policy DP5, Policy DP6, Policy DP7
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.