®Planning appeal decision
Land at Povey Cross Farm, Reigate Road, Hookwood, Surrey, TN16 1BT
outline application with all matters reserved except access for the demolition of one residential dwelling (Use Class C3) and delivery of up to 116 new homes (Use Class C3), up to 4,250sqm floorspace for specialist housing for older persons (Use Class C2), up to 350sqm Use Class E floorspace, creation of a new vehicular access, public open space, landscaping and associated works
- Authority
- Mole Valley District Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Nicholls H
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the scheme would adequately address any risk of flooding and avoid the increased risk of flooding elsewhere
- whether the proposed density could be adequately accommodated on the site whilst creating a high quality of development
- whether the location of the housing for older people would be suitable having regard to the location of services, facilities and quality of living environment
- whether education contributions secured by planning obligation are necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms
What decided it
The Inspector was not satisfied, given the fixed points of access and unresolved flood modelling, that the scheme would be safe from flooding and avoid increasing flood risk elsewhere, engaging the strong reason for refusal under NPPF paragraph 11d)i).
The substantial benefit of housing delivery, significant benefit of affordable housing, and modest benefits from older persons' housing, economic activity, open space and biodiversity enhancements did not outweigh the unresolved conflict with flood risk policies, so the decision was taken in accordance with the development plan and the appeal was dismissed.
Framework references: 11, 170
Plan policies cited: Policy DS42, Policy INF3, Policy H6, Policy D1, Policy D2
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.