®Planning appeal decision
Holmleigh Fen Road, Heighington, Lincoln, LN4 1JH
Planning appeal 3355256 at Holmleigh Fen Road, Heighington, Lincoln, LN4 1JH (North Kesteven District Council) was dismissed on 2 June 2025 by Inspector Teasdale N, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site location is suitable for residential development, having regard to development plan policy governing proposals within the open countryside.
erection of 5 no. detached two storey dwellings and 2 no. affordable dwellings, with associated garaging including formation of associated access road and junction with Fen Road and provision of footway connection
- Authority
- North Kesteven District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Teasdale N
- Postcode
- LN4 1JH
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the site location is suitable for residential development, having regard to development plan policy governing proposals within the open countryside
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area
- Whether the proposed development would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers with particular regard to privacy
- Whether sufficient information has been submitted in respect of energy performance
- The effect of the proposed development on trees
What decided it
The site's location in open countryside, separated from the developed footprint of Heighington by undeveloped agricultural land and sporadic development, makes it unsuitable for residential development under Policy S4 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan 2023 and paragraph 84 of the Framework.
The modest benefits of housing delivery and the provision of a footpath link were insufficient to outweigh the significant harm caused by the unsuitable countryside location, unacceptable harm to character and appearance, and inadequate living conditions for future occupiers.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy S1Policy S4Policy S5Policy S6Policy S7Policy S53Policy S66
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 8Paragraph 11Paragraph 48Paragraph 84Paragraph 131Paragraph 135Paragraph 139
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
More decisions in North Kesteven
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
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- Allowed15 July 20266006062Edens Rest Wholesale Nursery, Mareham Lane, Spanby, Sleaford, NG34 0AS
- Allowed13 May 2026600570020 Market Place, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7SR
- Allowed13 May 2026337544920 Market Place, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7SR
- Notice upheld27 March 20263374194Red Lion, High Street, Wellingore, Lincoln, LN5 0HW
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.