®Planning appeal decision
Broadway Farm Broad Oak, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EU
Planning appeal 3361911 at Broadway Farm Broad Oak, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2EU (Eastleigh Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 30 September 2025 by Inspector Moss J, following an inquiry. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the location of the development is acceptable, having regard to the relevant policies and guidance on the matter of its location, with particular regard to the settlement gap.
Material change of use of land to parking and storage, with associated tarmac hardstanding, drainage and lighting
- Authority
- Eastleigh Borough Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- employment-industrial · Change of use
- Inspector
- Moss J
- Postcode
- SO30 2EU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether or not the location of the development is acceptable, having regard to the relevant policies and guidance on the matter of its location, with particular regard to the settlement gap
- The effect of the development (including site lighting) on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- The effect of the development on ecology, with particular regard to lighting and the drainage of the site
- The effect of the development on the adjoining ancient woodland (AW) and site of interest for nature conservation (SINC)
What decided it
The substantial economic benefits of retaining the northern hardstanding area for the appellant's business, weighed against the reduced and limited conflict with the Settlement Gap policy once mitigation was secured, outweighed the residual harm.
For the whole site, the harm to the Settlement Gap, character and appearance, and the adjoining AW/SINC was not outweighed by any benefits; for the northern part of the site, the substantial economic benefits outweighed the limited residual conflict with Strategic Policy S6, justifying a grant of permission for that part alone.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Strategic Policy S5Strategic Policy S6Policy DM18Policy DM1Policy DM11Policy DM6Strategic Policy S8
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 193
- Judgments
- Burdle & Williams v SSE & New Forest DC [1972] 1 WLR 1207; Crawley BC v Hickmet (1998) 75 P. & C.R. 500
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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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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- Dismissed20 December 20243350858Land off Cobbett Way, Botley, SO30 2ET
- Allowed13 November 20243328986Cockpit Farm Barn, Knowle Lane, Horton Heath, Hampshire, SO50 7DZ
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.