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Dismissed6 August 20266006691

Walnut Tree Barn, Thetford Road, Barnham, IP24 2PA

Planning appeal 6006691 at Walnut Tree Barn, Thetford Road, Barnham, IP24 2PA (West Suffolk) was dismissed on 6 August 2026 by Inspector C Walker, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site is a suitable location for a dwelling, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy.

described in the application form as ‘change of use of a converted barn currently in use as a holiday let under Use Class C1, to permanent residential dwelling under Use Class C3

Authority
West Suffolk
Appeal type
minor · Planning
Procedure
Written
Development
residential
Inspector
C Walker
Postcode
IP24 2PA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • Whether the site is a suitable location for a dwelling, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with Policy LP16 of the West Suffolk Local Plan, which seeks to safeguard and support the rural economy by giving priority to employment, tourism and other economic uses of rural buildings before residential occupation is contemplated, and the appellant has not satisfied the policy's requirement to explore and discount alternative economic uses through marketing.

The benefits of the scheme, including modest housing supply contribution and community support, do not outweigh the harm to the rural economy from the loss of a commercial holiday let

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy SP12Policy SP21Policy LP16Policy SP4Policy LP27Policy SP13
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 83Paragraph 84Paragraph 124

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in West Suffolk

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

  1. Allowed29 June 20266007055
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  2. Dismissed17 October 20253368446
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  3. Dismissed29 August 20253363469
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  4. Dismissed7 July 20253361097
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  5. Dismissed21 November 20233314065
    4-6 Market Hill, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 0AA

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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.