®Planning appeal decision
Oakdown Fields, Shortheath Lane, Sulhamstead, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4EG
Planning appeal 3361331 at Oakdown Fields, Shortheath Lane, Sulhamstead, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4EG (West Berkshire District Council) was allowed on 18 June 2025 by Inspector Wilson D, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: In respect of condition 16, whether the condition is reasonable and necessary in the interests of the character and appearance of the area.
Section 73a: Variation of conditions 16 (Private Equestrian Use), 4 (CEMP), 6 (Landscaping), 7 (Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan) and 15 (Manure Storage and Disposal) and remove condition 5 (Tree Protection) of previously approved application 21/03260/COMIND: Change of use of agricultural land to equestrian and erection of stable block/yard, menage and creation of associated access. Retention of 4 No. temporary field shelters and mobile stable unit on skids.
- Authority
- West Berkshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- agricultural · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Wilson D
- Postcode
- RG7 4EG
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- In respect of condition 16, whether the condition is reasonable and necessary in the interests of the character and appearance of the area
- In respect of condition 17, whether the condition is reasonable and necessary in the interests of the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and character and appearance of the area
What decided it
Condition 16 was unreasonable because the scale of items required for equestrian use would be low and the condition's vague wording made it unclear and unenforceable, while condition 17 was necessary to control the potential for moderate vehicle movements during unsociable hours that would be noticeable to neighbouring occupiers.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- CS12CS14CS19ENV.29OVS.6
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 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.