®Planning appeal decision
Caravan Site , Festival Road, Billingford, Norfolk, NR20 4RB
Change of use of land for the standing of two residential static caravans and two touring caravans to meet the accommodation needs of a local Gypsy/Traveller family to include ancillary works
- Authority
- Breckland Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Major traveller and caravan pitches
- Inspector
- Harbottle M
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the location for the development is acceptable in principle, having regard to the effect of the development on character and appearance.
- The need for and supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches in Breckland.
- The effect of the development on assets and areas of particular importance, including the River Wensum and Habitats Sites.
- The effect of the development on living conditions.
- The personal circumstances of the appellants and their dependants.
What decided it
The unresolved risk of harm to the ecology of Habitats Sites (nutrient pollution and recreational impact), providing a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 193a) and 11(d)(i) of the Framework, decided the appeal.
The significant weight given to the lack of pitch supply and the appellant's personal circumstances/risk of homelessness did not outweigh the substantial weight attached to the unresolved harm to Habitats Sites, so the balance tipped against granting permission.
Framework references: 11, 193
Plan policies cited: Policy HOU 05, Policy HOU 08, Policy ENV 02, Policy GEN 02
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.