®Planning appeal decision
430 London Road, South Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1AW
Planning appeal 3371979 at 430 London Road, South Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1AW (Castle Point Borough Council) was dismissed on 7 May 2026 by Inspector Francis L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the appeal site is grey belt land with particular reference to whether its location within the zone of influence of European designated sites would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting the proposed development.
the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of 3no. dwellings, with car parking provision, access, landscaping and other associated works
- Authority
- Castle Point Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Francis L
- Postcode
- SS7 1AW
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the appeal site is grey belt land with particular reference to whether its location within the zone of influence of European designated sites would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting the proposed development
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
- the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of future occupiers of plots 2 and 3 with particular regard to bedroom sizes, daylight and privacy
- the effect of the proposal on highway safety
- sustainability
What decided it
The significant harm to the character and appearance of the area through the uniform building line and dominance of Plot 1 relative to the informal pattern of development on Catherine Road significantly and demonstrably outweighs the moderate benefits of two additional dwellings.
The significant harm to character and appearance significantly and demonstrably outweighs the moderate benefit of two additional dwellings and limited economic benefits when assessed against the Framework as a whole, despite the Council's failure to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy EC2 of the Castle Point Borough Local Plan 1998RDG3 of the Residential Design Guidance Supplementary Planning DocumentRDG5 of the Residential Design Guidance Supplementary Planning DocumentRDG9 of the Residential Design Guidance Supplementary Planning DocumentRDG12 of the Residential Design Guidance Supplementary Planning DocumentRDG16 of the Residential Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 143Paragraph 155Paragraph 232
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
More decisions in Castle Point
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Dismissed6 October 202660095891 Mount Zion, Castle Lane, Hadleigh, SS7 2AR
- Unknown30 September 20263356037141 Rayleigh Road, Benfleet, SS7 3YN
- Notice upheld30 September 20263356036141 Rayleigh Road, Benfleet, SS7 3YN
- Allowed14 September 20266007184Land South Of Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, SS7 2TA
- Notice varied and upheld4 September 20263350293The Hideaway, 23A Malyon Court Close, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1TX
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.