64-66 and 70 Simpson Road, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1BA

Full application for demolition of existing unit and the erection of 4 apartment blocks comprising 98 units with associated landscaping and parking

Authority: Milton Keynes Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: residential · Major dwellings
Inspector: Bayliss G

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the setting and significance of nearby designated heritage assets
Whether or not the proposal would provide suitable living conditions for existing and future occupants with regard to outlook and daylight

What decided it

The harm to the setting and significance of the designated heritage assets (the listed lock buildings and Fenny Lodge) was not outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.

The substantial public benefits of housing and affordable housing delivery, economic and social benefits, and brownfield redevelopment were outweighed by the great weight given to the less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets, compounded by unacceptable harm to the living conditions of an existing neighbouring occupant.

Framework references: 205, 206, 208

Plan policies cited: Policy HE1, Policy HN4, Policy D5

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.