®Planning appeal decision
Land at Lower Paddock, Bent Lane, Hambledon, PO7 4QP
Planning appeal 6005547 at Land at Lower Paddock, Bent Lane, Hambledon, PO7 4QP (Winchester) was allowed on 10 August 2026 by Inspector Graham Chamberlain, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location, with reference to the accessibility of services and facilities and whether it would be in open countryside away from existing settlements.
The change of use of land for the siting of 4 static caravans, 4 touring caravans, 2 day utility buildings, bin stores, cycle stores, gates and fencing, for human habitation by Gypsy and Travellers (Part Retrospective)
- Authority
- Winchester
- Appeal type
- Planning
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy
- Inspector
- Graham Chamberlain
- Postcode
- PO7 4QP
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would be in a suitable location, with reference to the accessibility of services and facilities and whether it would be in open countryside away from existing settlements
- The effect on the character and appearance of the area
- Whether intentional unauthorised development has occurred and, if so, the weight to be given to this matter
What decided it
The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable gypsy and traveller pitches engaged the tilted balance in Framework paragraph 11(d)(ii), and the adverse impacts of the scheme did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits.
The moderate harms from the unsustainable location, intentional unauthorised development and character/appearance impact were outweighed in the tilted balance by the significant benefits of pitch delivery, lack of alternative accommodation, equality considerations and personal circumstances, so the appeal was allowed.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy H11Policy H14Policy NE14Policy H3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 110Paragraph 115Paragraph 116Paragraph 129Paragraph 135Paragraph 155
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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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.