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Dismissed21 April 20263376453

Stablebrook, Wethersfield Road, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, Co9 3LB

Planning appeal 3376453 at Stablebrook, Wethersfield Road, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, Co9 3LB (Braintree District Council) was dismissed on 21 April 2026 by Inspector Gilbert-Wooldridge T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the development on highway safety.

described on the application form as “retrospective planning application for the material change of use of land to permanent Gypsy and Traveller site for six pitches”

Authority
Braintree District Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
caravan-gypsy · Minor traveller and caravan pitches
Inspector
Gilbert-Wooldridge T
Postcode
CO9 3LB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect of the development on highway safety
  • the effect of the development on biodiversity, including biodiversity net gain
  • the effect of the development on the living conditions of site occupants
  • the effect of the development on drainage
  • whether any harms would be outweighed by other considerations

What decided it

The harm to highway safety caused by intensification of an existing access with poor visibility, combined with significant unresolved uncertainties on biodiversity, living conditions and drainage, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of contributing to gypsy and traveller site supply and the appellant's personal circumstances.

The provision of 6 pitches (significant weight), the principle of development in this location (moderate weight), and the appellant's personal circumstances (considerable weight) were outweighed by considerable weight given to harm to highway safety and significant weight given to unresolved adverse effects on biodiversity, living conditions and drainage, resulting in the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy LPP34Policy LPP52Policy LPP1Policy LPP64Policy LPP66Policy LPP70Policy SP7
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 115Paragraph 116Paragraph 135Paragraph 187Paragraph 193

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in Braintree District Council

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

  1. Dismissed5 May 20266003882
    244 Rayne Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2QT
  2. Dismissed16 March 20266002657
    The Grange, 33 Lyons Hall Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9SG
  3. Dismissed6 February 20263364827
    Rear of 46 Bradford Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9AT
  4. Dismissed21 January 20263366289
    Broadfields Nursery, Broad Road, Braintree, CM7 5NJ
  5. Dismissed14 October 20253366906
    Land Rear of 5 Butler Road, Leather Lane, Great Yeldham, Essex, CO9 4JB

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.