®Planning appeal decision
The Old Telephone Exchange, Market Hill, BUCKINGHAM, Buckinghamshire, MK18 1JT
two storey roof extension to provide 8no. flats and change of use of the ground floor to provide 1no. residential unit and ancillary residential uses
- Authority
- Buckinghamshire Council - Aylesbury Area *
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Masters C
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with particular reference to the Buckingham Conservation Area
- the setting of the heritage assets known as No6 Market Hill and Christs Church Hospital
- the setting of the Former Post office building as a non designated heritage asset
- whether the loss of the existing employment use is appropriately justified
- whether the proposal would result in acceptable living conditions for the future occupiers in terms of noise, light, outlook and privacy
What decided it
The proposal would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Buckingham Conservation Area due to the height, bulk and massing of the building, which would appear as a prominent and uncharacteristic addition to the street scene.
Although the proposal would deliver 9 residential units in a location where the Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing supply, the harm to the designated heritage asset (the Conservation Area) provided a clear reason for refusal, and the tilted balance was not engaged.
Framework references: 209
Plan policies cited: Policy S1, Policy BE1, Policy BE2, Policy E2, Policy BE3, Policy NE4, Policy NE5, Policy S2, Policy S3, Policy EE2 of the Buckingham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2015), Policy DHE6 of the Buckingham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2015)
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.