®Planning appeal decision
Downe Livery Stables, High Elms Road, Downe, Orpington, BR6 7JL
Planning appeal 3346209 at Downe Livery Stables, High Elms Road, Downe, Orpington, BR6 7JL (London Borough of Bromley) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 1 August 2025 by Inspector Steen A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
without the required planning permission , the construction at the above Land, of a single storey wooden outbuilding on the above Land, situated within the Green Belt area, close to the highway known as High Elms Road to the left of the main entrance to the stables. The outbuilding measures approximately 7m in length, 5m in width and 2.95m in height with a flat roof. It is being used by staff and as a welfare unit for visiting public and is located in the approximate position marked with an X in the attached plan
- Authority
- London Borough of Bromley
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Minor retail and services
- Inspector
- Steen A
- Postcode
- BR6 7JL
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the development comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
- The effect of the development on the intrinsic character and beauty of the landscape
- Whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The outbuilding comprises inappropriate development in the Green Belt that harms its openness and conflicts with its purposes, and the unclear temporary need does not constitute very special circumstances to justify the development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 49Policy 37
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.