156 the drive, Rickmansworth, WD34DH

development of 2 self build dwellings

Authority: Three Rivers
Appeal type: minor · Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Postcode: WD3 4DH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effects of the development proposed on the character and appearance of the area
the effects of the development proposed on ecology and biodiversity

What decided it

The significant and long-lasting harm to the character and appearance of the area through substantial tree loss, combined with unresolved impacts on protected species, substantially and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of housing delivery and self-build provision.

The adverse impacts of granting planning permission, comprising significant harm to character and appearance and potential harm to protected species, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the considerable benefits of housing delivery, self-build provision, affordable housing contribution, and economic benefits, such that the proposal did not benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Framework references: 11, 110, 115, 129, 135, 139

Plan policies cited: CP1, CP3, CP4, CP12, DM1, DM6, BW DE1

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

Then the development plan position, the housing land supply as an Inspector last accepted it, and every appeal decided around the site with its letter.

Every English appeal since 2016, with the letter behind it wherever the Inspectorate published one. Searched by meaning as well as by words, with the key case law counted live across the letters.

Casework that chases the deadlines. Applications, appeals and conditions with their statutory dates.

The judgement stays yours. The tool gathers the material and dates it.