Planning appeal decision
Orchard Avenue, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1PH
Planning appeal 3344054 at Orchard Avenue, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1PH (Basildon District Council) was dismissed on 27 February 2025 by Inspector Williams K, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the development plan and the Framework including the effect upon the openness of the Green Belt.
a new dwelling to replace existing barn and stables including change of use from equestrian to residential
- Authority
- Basildon District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Williams K
- Postcode
- CM11 1PH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the development plan and the Framework including the effect upon the openness of the Green Belt
- whether the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the area
- whether the proposal would have a harmful effect on protected species and the Essex Coast Habitats sites
- if inappropriate, whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The substantial harm to Green Belt openness and purposes, combined with harm to character and appearance, is not clearly outweighed by the modest housing and economic benefits, and very special circumstances do not exist.
The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and harm to character and appearance is not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of housing delivery and biodiversity enhancements; the tilted balance does not apply as Green Belt protection provides a strong reason for refusal.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy BAS GB1Policy BAS BE12Policy BAS BE13
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 143Paragraph 154Paragraph 155Paragraph 156Paragraph 157Paragraph 193
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
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More decisions in Basildon Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Split Decision16 July 20263353645Land West of Elizabeth Villa, Katherine Road, Bowers Gifford, Essex, SS13 2JX
- Notice varied and upheld14 July 20263357480The Hall, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1RT
- Allowed14 July 20263357389The Hall, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1RT
- Notice varied and upheld7 July 20263348737Land North of Studland Avenue, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0JP
- Allowed1 July 20266006402Land East of Bells Hill Road, Basildon, SS16 5JT
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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