The Willows, Gomshall Lane, Shere, GU5 9HD

Planning appeal 6003612 at The Willows, Gomshall Lane, Shere, GU5 9HD (Guildford Borough Council) was dismissed on 9 July 2026 by Inspector Patrick Whelan, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and development plan policies.

a first floor extension, new porch and alterations

Authority: Guildford Borough Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Inspector: Patrick Whelan
Postcode: GU5 9HD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and development plan policies
the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect of the proposed development on protected species
if the proposed development would be inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt with cumulative harm to openness and unresolved protected species concerns, and the substantial weight to be given to this harm is not clearly outweighed by other considerations, so very special circumstances do not exist.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy P2Policy P6
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 154Paragraph 153Paragraph 15

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.

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The decision letter

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

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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.