Pirton Water Tower, Priors Hill , Pirton, Hertfordshire, SG5 3QH

Planning appeal 3348028 at Pirton Water Tower, Priors Hill , Pirton, Hertfordshire, SG5 3QH (North Hertfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 8 May 2025 by Inspector Astley-Serougi B, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, with reference to the Chilterns National Landscape including the effect of the proposed demolition of the non-designated heritage asset known as Pirton Water Tower.

one detached dwelling and garage following demolition of existing water tower (all matters reserved)

Authority: North Hertfordshire District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Astley-Serougi B
Postcode: SG5 3QH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, with reference to the Chilterns National Landscape including the effect of the proposed demolition of the non-designated heritage asset known as Pirton Water Tower
whether the appeal site is in a sustainable location for the proposed development having regard to local policy
the effect of the proposed development on the biodiversity of the appeal site

What decided it

The proposed development would harm the character and appearance of the Chilterns National Landscape and would not meet any of the exceptions to Policy CGB1 for development in the rural area beyond the Green Belt.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy CGB1Policy NE3Policy NE4Policy HE3Policy LTP4
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 189

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.

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The decision letter

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8 other decided appeals within two kilometres of this site. In the app every dot opens its decision, and its letter wherever one was published, and you can draw your own site to see what has been decided around it.AllowedDismissedSplitThis decision

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More decisions in North Hertfordshire

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.