Planning appeal decision
Land East of Grove Hill, Martinstown, Dorset, DT9 9JP
Planning appeal 3339527 at Land East of Grove Hill, Martinstown, Dorset, DT9 9JP (Dorset) was dismissed on 19 November 2024 by Inspector Rose C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, having regard to the site's location within the Dorset National Landscape and including whether it would preserve or enhance the significance of the Winterbourne St Martin Conservation Area.
Approval of the details of the layout, scale and appearance of the buildings, the means of access thereto and the landscaping of the site
- Authority
- Dorset
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Rose C
- Postcode
- DT2 9JP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, having regard to the site's location within the Dorset National Landscape and including whether it would preserve or enhance the significance of the Winterbourne St Martin Conservation Area
- flood risk with particular regard to groundwater levels
- the living conditions of nearby occupiers on Hardy Close with particular regard to outlook
What decided it
The extent of excavation required to construct the dwelling into the hillside would harm the character and appearance of the area and fail to conserve the landscape and scenic beauty of the Dorset National Landscape, combined with unresolved groundwater flood risk concerns.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ENV1Policy ENV4Policy ENV10Policy ENV12Policy ENV5Policy ENV16
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 135Paragraph 173Paragraph 208
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.
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