Planning appeal decision
Land at Higher Liftondown Heights SX365854, Liftondown, Launceston, PL16 0DB
Planning appeal 3374695 at Land at Higher Liftondown Heights SX365854, Liftondown, Launceston, PL16 0DB (West Devon Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 29 April 2026 by Inspector Graham J, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.
Without planning permission (i) the change of use of the Land from an equestrian and agriculture use to the use as a caravan site for residential purposes and associated operational development to facilitate this use
- Authority
- West Devon Borough Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Change of use
- Inspector
- Graham J
- Postcode
- PL16 0DB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
- Whether the Appeal Site is a sustainable location for this development
- The need for, and supply of, Gypsy and Traveller sites
- The personal circumstances of the occupiers, and the best interests of any children involved
What decided it
The Inspector's conclusion that Policy DEV13's criteria-based approach remained up-to-date meant the NPPF presumption in favour of sustainable development carried only very limited weight, so the identified conflict with the development plan was not outweighed by the benefits to the family.
the significant benefits of providing the family with a settled base for healthcare and education were outweighed by the harm to the character and appearance of the countryside and conflict with Policy DEV13, notwithstanding the limited-weight presumption in favour of sustainable development
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy TTV26Policy DEV20Policy DEV23Policy SPT1Policy SPT2Policy TTV1Policy DEV13Policy DEV26
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 12Paragraph 135
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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More decisions in West Devon
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Notice varied and upheld17 September 20263355120Greenslade, Greenslade Lane, Sampford Courtenay, EX20 2SF
- Notice varied and upheld4 August 20263377919Land South of Dartmoor Caravan Park, Crapstone, Yelverton, Devon, PL20 7PP
- Notice varied and upheld16 July 20263377842Land at SX369802, Known As Rose Cottage, The Tollhouse, Greystone Bridge, Launceston, Devon, PL15 9PD
- Notice varied and upheld29 April 20263374608Land at SX367853, West of Midway, Liftondown, Devon, PL16 0DB
- Allowed9 March 20266002087The Old Forge, Road From Castle Cross To Grindhill Cross, Broadbury, Devon, EX2 4LG
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.
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