Priory Farm, Levenage Lane, Widford, SG12 8RA

Planning appeal 3340086 at Priory Farm, Levenage Lane, Widford, SG12 8RA (East Hertfordshire District Council) was allowed on 3 October 2024 by Inspector Kemmann-Lane T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character of the site and the rural countryside.

the erection of four dwellings and associated landscaping

Authority: East Hertfordshire District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Kemmann-Lane T
Postcode: SG12 8RA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposed development on the character of the site and the rural countryside
the impact of the proposal on highway safety

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply engaged NPPF paragraph 11(d), and the limited harm to countryside character was not significantly outweighed by the benefits of housing delivery in a sustainable location supporting rural community services.

The limited harm to the rural countryside character was not significantly outweighed by the benefits of four new dwellings in a sustainable location supporting the vitality of nearby rural communities and delivering environmental benefits through enhanced landscaping.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy DPS2Policy GBR2Policy TRA1Policy TRA2Policy Vill1
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 83
Judgments: Bernard Wheatcroft Ltd. v Secretary of State for the Environment and Another [1982] 43 P. & C.R. 233

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024

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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.