Heathfield Lodge, Little Heath, Hertfordshire, EN6 1JD

Planning appeal 3372793 at Heathfield Lodge, Little Heath, Hertfordshire, EN6 1JD (Welwyn Hatfield Council) was dismissed on 6 February 2026 by Inspector Housden C, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect on the character and appearance of the area.

demolition of existing bungalow for the construction of a three storey block of 6 x 2 bedroom apartments with parking and landscaped gardens

Authority: Welwyn Hatfield Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Housden C
Postcode: EN6 1JD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect on the character and appearance of the area
whether the proposal would provide adequate refuse facilities

What decided it

The considerable harm to the character and appearance of the area, combined with inadequate refuse facilities, substantially and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery and brownfield reuse, even in the context of a shortfall in five-year housing land supply.

The adverse effects of granting planning permission, comprising considerable harm to character and appearance and inadequate refuse facilities, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery, brownfield reuse, and associated economic and environmental benefits, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy SP 9Policy SADM 11Policy SADM 12
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 124Paragraph 135Paragraph 139Paragraph 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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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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.