Planning appeal decision
Standelfield, Standhill Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9AE
Planning appeal 3341389 at Standelfield, Standhill Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9AE (North Hertfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 18 October 2024 by Inspector Eggleton P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect on the character and appearance of the area.
two detached four-bedroom dwellings together with associated vehicular access and car parking, private gardens, hard and soft landscaping, and private footpaths; and alterations to the existing dwelling including works to the existing two-storey bay window on the south-east facing elevation and the insertion of new windows to the south-west and north-east facing elevations
- Authority
- North Hertfordshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Eggleton P
- Postcode
- SG4 9AE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect on the character and appearance of the area
What decided it
The considerable harm to the character and appearance of the area caused by the scale, proximity to the road boundary and dominance of the proposed dwellings significantly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits of housing delivery and sustainable design, even with the council unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
The benefits of housing delivery, biodiversity net gain, sustainable construction and efficient land use were afforded considerable weight given the local housing supply position, but the considerable harm to character and appearance and poor design in this particular context significantly and demonstrably outweighed these benefits under paragraph 11d of the NPPF
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- SP9D1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
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


More decisions in North Hertfordshire
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024
- Dismissed27 October 2026601513125, West Lane,Pirton, Hitchin, SG5 3RA
- Dismissed23 October 2026601129419 Benslow Lane, Hitchin, SG4 9RE
- Dismissed19 October 20266008747Land to the Front of Everglades, Maiden Street, Weston, Hitchin, SG4 7AA
- Dismissed12 October 20266012629Standelfield, Standhill Road, Hitchin, SG4 9AE
- Dismissed7 October 20266009246Woodcotes, Fears Green, Sandon, SG9 0QZ
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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