®Planning appeal decision
Walnut Tree Barn, Thetford Road, Barnham, IP24 2PA
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
- 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
Framework references: 11, 83, 84, 124
Plan policies cited: Policy SP12, Policy SP21, Policy LP16, Policy SP4, Policy LP27, Policy SP13
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.