Planning appeal decision
Land West of Saxham Business Park, Off Newmarket Road, Risby, IP28 6RX
Planning appeal 3361490 at Land West of Saxham Business Park, Off Newmarket Road, Risby, IP28 6RX (West Suffolk) was allowed on 25 September 2025 by Inspector Cragg D, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to landscape effects.
the construction of a new steel storage, processing and distribution facility incorporating company headquarters and associated development (including highway and drainage infrastructure, parking, fencing, and landscaping) on land west of Saxham Business Park
- Authority
- West Suffolk
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- employment-industrial · Major general industry/storage/warehousing
- Inspector
- Cragg D
- Postcode
- IP28 6RX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to landscape effects
- the effect of the proposed development on the use of best and most versatile agricultural land (BMVAL), including consideration of the site selection process
- whether any harm identified, including conflict with the development plan, would be outweighed by other material considerations
What decided it
The substantial economic, social and environmental benefits of the scheme were found to outweigh the significant landscape/character harm and modest BMVAL conflict, justifying approval despite conflict with the development plan.
the substantial economic, social and environmental benefits of the scheme outweighed the significant weight given to landscape/character conflict and the modest weight given to loss of BMVAL, justifying a decision other than in accordance with the development plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- SP12SP22SP24SP23LP25LP26SP7LP7LP43LP44LP1SP1LP41LP42SP9SP31SP10AP41
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 187Paragraph 58Paragraph 56Paragraph 57
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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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.
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