Elm Tree Wood, Walliswood, Dorking, RH5 5QJ

Planning appeal 3349162 at Elm Tree Wood, Walliswood, Dorking, RH5 5QJ (Mole Valley District Council) was dismissed on 24 October 2024 by Inspector Clowes M, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The main issue in relation to this appeal is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with regard to the impact on trees and ancient woodland.

change of use from residential and equestrian to a residential/live work equine veterinary practice (administrative functions only no on-site treatment of horses) including the replacement of existing stables with small, detached home office storage building; revised application further to application MO/2023/1562

Authority: Mole Valley District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: employment-industrial · Change of use
Inspector: Clowes M
Postcode: RH5 5QJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The main issue in relation to this appeal is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with regard to the impact on trees and ancient woodland.

What decided it

The lack of robust evidence that construction and pruning works would not harm the ancient woodland's biodiversity value and landscape contribution.

The absence of harm to the building's appearance/use and the limited weight given to economic benefits did not outweigh the harm identified to the character and appearance of the area and the biodiversity value of the ancient woodland.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy EN9Policy EN2Policy EN4
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 186Paragraph 56

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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More decisions in Mole Valley District Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024

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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.