®Planning appeal decision
Land Adj To Orchard Cottage Drift Road , Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3ST
Planning appeal 3354960 at Land Adj To Orchard Cottage Drift Road , Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3ST (Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead) was dismissed on 13 March 2025 by Inspector Carpenter C, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, with particular reference to its effect on trees and hedgerows.
Outline application for access, layout, appearance and scale for a phased development of two (2) custom and self build plots and all enabling works with landscaping and scale reserved
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Carpenter C
- Postcode
- SL6 3ST
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, with particular reference to its effect on trees and hedgerows
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The substantial Green Belt harm from inappropriateness and considerable harm to character and appearance were not clearly outweighed by other considerations, so very special circumstances were not established.
The substantial harm to Green Belt openness and considerable harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area were not clearly outweighed by the moderate and limited weight afforded to self-build provision, housing land supply contribution, economic benefits and environmental mitigation, so very special circumstances did not exist and the balance tipped against the proposal.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy NR3Policy QP5Policy HO2Policy SP2Policy EP1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 58Paragraph 110Paragraph 115Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 155
- Judgments
- Dartford BC v SSCLG [2017] EWCA Civ 141
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 appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Dismissed23 September 202660083374 Whurley Way, Maidenhead, SL6 7SS
- Dismissed4 September 202660092602 Island Cottages Stanwell Road, Horton, SL3 9PQ
- Notice upheld10 August 20263369085Land to the Side of 16 Halfway Houses, Maidenhead Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6PP
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.