®Planning appeal decision
Suttons Farm, Tomkyns Lane, Upminster, RM14 1TP
the demolition of the existing structure and outbuilding and the erection of four new dwellings, and all associated works including parking and landscaping
- Authority
- London Borough of Havering
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Wright A
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the appeal site is grey belt land and whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and relevant development plan policies
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants, with particular regard to outlook and access
- whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing
- the effect of the proposed development on protected species, with particular regard to bats and great crested newts
- whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The substantial harm to Green Belt openness and the failure to demonstrate very special circumstances that would clearly outweigh this harm and the other identified harms to character, living conditions and affordable housing provision.
The modest weight given to housing delivery and limited weight to biodiversity net gain did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, harm to character and appearance, unacceptable living conditions, and failure to provide affordable housing; the Green Belt protection policies provided a strong reason to refuse the development notwithstanding the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.
Framework references: 11, 143, 154, 155, 156, 157
Plan policies cited: Policy G2 of the London Plan 2021, Policy D6 of the London Plan 2021, Policy 3 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy 4 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy 7 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy 10 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy 26 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy 27 of the Havering Local Plan 2021, Policy G7 of the London Plan 2021
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.