Land North of Browns Lane, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 8UT

an outline application for up to 210 dwellings, public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage, and associated infrastructure. All matters reserved except access

Authority: Lichfield District Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Inquiry
Development: residential · Major dwellings
Inspector: McGlone A

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposal would accord with the spatial strategy in the development plan, with regard to its location and the proposed quantum of housing
the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with regards to spatial and visual separation of Wigginton, and the Wigginton Conservation Area (WCA)
the need for, and provision of affordable housing in Lichfield and Tamworth, including the mix and tenure
whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing, education, healthcare, public open space, off-site highway works and travel plan monitoring
the effect of the proposed access on the character and appearance of the area, having regard to the development subject of Appeal A
whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing and off-site highway works

What decided it

The very substantial weight given to the exceptional, fully affordable housing provision (up to 210 affordable homes) outweighed the identified moderate spatial-strategy harm and the less-than-substantial harm to the Wigginton Conservation Area's setting.

The very substantial benefit of 100% affordable housing provision, together with significant open space, economic and other benefits, outweighed the moderate harm from conflict with the spatial strategy and the less-than-substantial (low-to-moderate) harm to the setting of the Wigginton Conservation Area, tipping the balance in favour of allowing the appeals despite overall conflict with the development plan.

Framework references: 57, 64, 85, 93, 102

Plan policies cited: LPS Core Policy 1, LPS Core Policy 3, LPS Core Policy 4, LPS Core Policy 5, LPS Core Policy 6, LPS Core Policy 10, LPS Core Policy 14, LPS Policy H1, LPS Policy H2, LPS Policy Rural 1, LPS Policy: North of Tamworth, LPS Policy NR3, LPS Policy BE1, LPS Policy ST1, LPS Policy HSC1, LPS Policy IP1, LPA Policy NT1, LPA Policy NT2, TLP Policy HG4, TLP Policy EN5, TLP Policy IM1, TLP Policy SU2, NP Policy W1, NP Policy WHC1, NP Policy WHC3, NP Policy WHC7

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.