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Planning appeal decision

Notice varied and upheld18 March 20253353244

The Siding, Oak Farm Lane, Mendlesham, IP14 5TE

Planning appeal 3353244 at The Siding, Oak Farm Lane, Mendlesham, IP14 5TE (Mid Suffolk District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 18 March 2025 by Inspector King T, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: planning policies, need and local provision of sites for gypsy and traveller purposes.

‘Change of use of land to enable standing of residential caravans on previously developed land, refurbishment and relocation of existing building to act and ancillary works.’ Formal

Authority
Mid Suffolk District Council
Appeal type
enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure
Hearing
Development
caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector
King T
Postcode
IP14 5TE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • planning policies, need and local provision of sites for gypsy and traveller purposes
  • whether the development would be subject to a significant risk of flooding, and would comply with planning policy which seeks to steer new development away from the highest risk of flooding
  • the effect of the proposed development on local ecology and biodiversity

What decided it

The absence of an adequate Flood Risk Assessment demonstrating the site could be made safe from flooding was, on its own, sufficient to justify dismissal.

The significant weight given to the unmet need for gypsy and traveller sites and substantial weight given to personal circumstances and the best interests of the children were outweighed by the significant flood risk and unresolved ecological concerns, such that the costs of the development significantly outweighed its benefits.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy SP04Policy SP09LP27LP16MP1
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 170
Judgments
Stevens v SSCLG [2013] EWHC 792 (Admin); Collins v SSCLG [2013] EWCA Civ 1193

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.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Mid Suffolk District Council

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

  1. Dismissed2 September 20263359620
    Keytons Pit Newton Road, Sudbury, CO10 0PY
  2. Quashed On Legal Grounds1 September 20263344278
    Walnut Meadown, Back Lane, Baylham, Ipswich, IP6 8LE
  3. Dismissed28 August 20263343778
    Bridge Field Paddock, Green Road, Haughley, Stowmarket, IP14 3RA
  4. Dismissed16 March 20263356460
    Cagmans Farm, High Road, Great Finborough, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 3AP
  5. Notice upheld16 March 20263348273
    Cagmans Farm, High Road, Great Finborough, Suffolk, IP14 3AP

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.