®Planning appeal decision
263 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, LU3 3PP
Planning appeal 6005439 at 263 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, LU3 3PP (Central Bedfordshire Council) was dismissed on 10 July 2026 by Inspector Claire Coles, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the appeal site is grey belt with particular reference to whether the Chilterns National Landscape provides a strong reason for refusing or restricting development.
two detached dwellings with associated access, parking, private gardens and landscaping
- Authority
- Central Bedfordshire Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- Claire Coles
- Postcode
- LU3 3PP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the appeal site is grey belt with particular reference to whether the Chilterns National Landscape provides a strong reason for refusing or restricting development
- 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 proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
- 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 site's location within the Chilterns National Landscape, combined with the proposal's failure to conserve or enhance its special qualities and its conflict with the surrounding pattern of development, provides a strong reason for refusal that outweighs the benefits of housing delivery in the absence of a five-year supply.
The substantial harm to the Green Belt from inappropriateness and loss of openness, together with harm to the character and appearance of the Chilterns National Landscape, outweighed the limited economic benefits and housing contribution, such that very special circumstances were not established.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy SP4Policy HQ1Policy HQ8Policy EE7
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 143Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 155Paragraph 189
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 appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Central Bedfordshire
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Allowed4 September 202660072022 Park Farm, Park Road, Westoning, MK45 5LA
- Dismissed7 August 20266007254Wheatsheaf Barn, Mount Pleasant, Aspley Guise, MK178JZ
- Dismissed8 July 20266007697142 Sharpenhoe Road, Streatley, Luton, LU3 3PS
- Allowed7 July 202660095044 Bushey Close, Whipsnade, Dunstable, LU6 2LQ
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.