Land south of Sheepcote Wood, Station Road, Cressing, Essex, CM77 8PD

Change of use of agricultural land to dog walking field, new access and fencing

Authority: Braintree District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector: Whitfield H

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposal would be an appropriate use in the countryside with particular regard to the character and appearance of the area and the accessibility of the site
the effect of the proposal on best and most versatile agricultural land

What decided it

The proposal represents an appropriate farm diversification use that would support the rural economy and provide community benefits, which outweighs the very limited loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and is consistent with national policy supporting rural business development.

Framework references: 88, 89

Plan policies cited: Policy LPP1, Policy LPP42, Policy LPP52

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