®Planning appeal decision
The Old Telephone Exchange, Market Hill, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 1JT
Planning appeal 3345386 at The Old Telephone Exchange, Market Hill, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18 1JT (Buckinghamshire Council - Aylesbury Area *) was dismissed on 26 September 2024 by Inspector Masters C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with particular reference to the Buckingham Conservation Area.
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
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Masters C
- Postcode
- MK18 1JT
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.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy S1Policy BE1Policy BE2Policy E2Policy BE3Policy NE4Policy NE5Policy S2Policy S3Policy EE2 of the Buckingham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2015)Policy DHE6 of the Buckingham Neighbourhood Development Plan (2015)
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 209
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
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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.