The Studio, Manor Farm , Church Lane, Graveley , Hitchin , Hertfordshire , SG4 7BN

Planning appeal 3350659 at The Studio, Manor Farm , Church Lane, Graveley , Hitchin , Hertfordshire , SG4 7BN (North Hertfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 15 January 2026 by Inspector Bowyer J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and the significance of nearby heritage assets.

retention of the change of use and extension of the garage to use as a self-contained flat

Authority: North Hertfordshire District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Bowyer J
Postcode: SG4 7BN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and the significance of nearby heritage assets
The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of 1 Barn Cottages with particular regard to whether or not it would be overbearing

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to the significance of designated heritage assets (listed buildings and Scheduled Monument) and the rural character of the area, which provides a strong reason for refusal under Framework heritage policies and outweighs the limited public benefits of the proposal.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy D1Policy D2Policy HE1
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11

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 North Hertfordshire

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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Allowed27 June 20253349177
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Allowed6 September 20233316241
Land Adjacent Red Brick Cottage, , The Street,, Kelshall, , Hertfordshire, SG8 9SG
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Land South of Heath Lane, Codicote, Hertfordshire, SG4 8YL

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.