®Planning appeal decision
Land South of 38 Gordon Close, ASHFORD, TN24 8RQ
erection of one detached dwelling and new access
- Authority
- Ashford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Glassar S
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- the living conditions of future occupants and existing neighbours
- the protected Stodmarsh Lakes
What decided it
The failure to secure nutrient neutrality mitigation for the Stodmarsh Lakes at the point of decision, combined with the unresolved harms to character and living conditions, meant the proposal could not be approved even under the tilted balance.
The modest benefits of housing delivery and economic contribution were outweighed by the significant and long-lasting harms to character and appearance and living conditions; however, the application of NPPF paragraph 11(d)(i) via Footnote 7 (protection of the Stodmarsh Lakes) provided a strong reason for refusal that displaced the need to undertake a conventional balancing exercise.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy SP1, Policy SP6, Policy HOU3a, Policy HOU15, Policy ENV1
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.