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Dismissed6 January 20263370027

20 Burnham Green Road, Bulls Green, Datchworth, Herts, SG3 6SE

Planning appeal 3370027 at 20 Burnham Green Road, Bulls Green, Datchworth, Herts, SG3 6SE (East Hertfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 6 January 2026 by Inspector Lo S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the setting of the Grade II listed 'Rat's Castle Cottage'.

the demolition of existing detached annexe building and erection of a 2 bedroom detached dwelling; retention of existing parking area and landscaping

Authority
East Hertfordshire District Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector
Lo S
Postcode
SG3 6SE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect of the proposal on the setting of the Grade II listed 'Rat's Castle Cottage'
  • whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and relevant development plan policies

What decided it

The identified less than substantial harm to the setting and significance of the Grade II listed building, to which great weight must be attached under paragraph 212 of the Framework, outweighs the public benefits of the proposal and provides a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d)(i).

The modest benefits of housing delivery, sustainable design measures, economic benefits and efficient use of land were outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the setting of the Grade II listed building, to which great weight must be attached; the heritage balance fell against the scheme and the presumption in favour of development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy HA1Policy HA7Policy DES4Policy GBR1
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 154Paragraph 212Paragraph 215
Judgments
Julian Wood v SSCLG and Gravesham Borough Council 2015

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 applied

The 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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.