®Planning appeal decision
Oak Cottage 20 Bourne End Lane, Bourne End, HP1 2RL
Planning appeal 3363288 at Oak Cottage 20 Bourne End Lane, Bourne End, HP1 2RL (Dacorum Borough Council) was allowed on 18 August 2025 by Inspector Gee R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.
outline planning application (all matters reserved other than access) for 3 serviced plots for self-build and custom housebuilding
- Authority
- Dacorum Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Gee R
- Postcode
- HP1 2RL
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- the integrity of habitats sites
- whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt or grey belt land having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- if the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it
What decided it
The revised Framework's grey belt exception at paragraph 155 applies because the site does not strongly contribute to Green Belt purposes (a), (b) or (d), there is demonstrable unmet housing need (1-year supply), and the site is in a sustainable location, making the development not inappropriate and therefore not requiring very special circumstances.
The limited localised harm to character and appearance is outweighed by the significant benefits of contributing to housing land supply, securing self-build and custom housing provision, and the application of the revised Framework's grey belt policy which indicates a decision other than in accordance with the development plan
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy CS10Policy CS11Policy CS12Policy CS1Policy CS2Policy CS5Policy CS25Policy CS26
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 55Paragraph 57Paragraph 110Paragraph 115Paragraph 143Paragraph 154Paragraph 155
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Dacorum
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Dismissed26 October 20266003892Bulbourne Wood, New Road, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LN
- Dismissed2 October 20266011489Plot HD587047 of Lot B2A, Upper Bourne End Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RR
- Dismissed28 August 20266010273118 A Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8AL
- Dismissed29 July 20266007072Highover Lukes Lane, Gubblecote Tring, HP23 4QQ
- Notice upheld14 July 20263350930Land Adjancet to The Old Brickworks, Spring Garden Lane, Northchurch, Herts, HP4 3GY
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.