Laxton Meadow Farm, Southam Road, Cheltenham, GL52 3NQ

the change of use and conversion of an agricultural barn to a single self-build dwelling and associated works

Authority: Cheltenham Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Change of use
Inspector: Butcher C

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of future occupiers, with regards to outlook and daylight
whether the existing building is suitable for conversion
whether the proposal would represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt

What decided it

The material harm to character and appearance caused by poor design, which significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of providing a single self-build dwelling despite the housing land supply shortfall.

The benefits of providing a single self-build home and utilising previously developed land were afforded limited weight despite the housing land supply shortfall, but were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant and enduring harm to character and appearance.

Framework references: 11, 154

Plan policies cited: Cheltenham Plan Policy SL1, Cheltenham Plan Policy D1, Cheltenham Plan Policy L2, Cheltenham Plan Policy GB1, Joint Core Strategy Policy SD4, Joint Core Strategy Policy SD14, Joint Core Strategy Policy SD5, Joint Core Strategy Policy SD10

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.

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