®Planning appeal decision
Appletree Lodge Otherton, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5NX
Planning appeal 3375957 at Appletree Lodge Otherton, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5NX (South Staffordshire District Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 21 April 2026 by Inspector Harbottle M, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the erection of the partially constructed building constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt ("the GB").
The unauthorised erection of a timber framed building (partially constructed) with a concrete base and brick build upstand for residential occupation (“the Building”)
- Authority
- South Staffordshire District Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Harbottle M
- Postcode
- ST19 5NX
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the erection of the partially constructed building constitutes inappropriate development within the Green Belt ("the GB").
- The effect of the erection of the partially constructed building on the character and appearance of the rural area.
- If the erection of the partially constructed building constitutes inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, and so amounts to the very special circumstances required to justify it ("the GB balance").
What decided it
The partially constructed building's inappropriateness and substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt, which could not be clearly outweighed by other considerations because the building was incapable of human habitation.
Factors that might otherwise support the appeal (unmet housing need, sustainability, proposed obligations) could not, individually or collectively, clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, so very special circumstances were not shown and the balance tipped against the appeal.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy GB1Core Policy 4Policy EQ11
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 155
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in South Staffordshire District Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Dismissed21 October 20266012641The Granary, Lyne Hill Lane, Penkridge, ST19 5NT
- Allowed25 September 20266010537Land to the Rear of 6-12 Long Lane, Newtown, Wolverhampton, WS6 6AU
- Dismissed23 September 20266008866The Paddocks, Bridgnorth Road, Stourton, DY7 6QZ
- Dismissed12 August 20266010048Hilton Colliery Farm Cottage, Red Lane, Essington, WV11 2RD
- Dismissed15 July 20266007394White Lodge, Old Stafford Road, Slade Heath, WV10 7PH
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.