®Planning appeal decision
Argento, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, CM11 1RR
Planning appeal 6007123 at Argento, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, CM11 1RR (Basildon Borough Council) was dismissed on 5 August 2026 by Inspector L Francis, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the requirements of biodiversity net gain are relevant to the proposed development and, if so, whether such requirements are met.
redevelopment of stable building and erection of single dwelling and carport/annex with associated parking and landscaping
- Authority
- Basildon Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- L Francis
- Postcode
- CM11 1RR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the requirements of biodiversity net gain are relevant to the proposed development and, if so, whether such requirements are met
- whether the appeal site is grey belt land with particular reference to whether its location within the zone of influence of European designated sites would provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting the proposed 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
What decided it
The failure to secure the proposal as a self-build dwelling exempt from the mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain requirement, combined with insufficient information to demonstrate how the mandatory BNG requirement would be met, weighed significantly against the scheme and outweighed the limited benefits of housing delivery.
The significant weight given to the conflict with the statutory biodiversity net gain framework significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of delivering a single energy-efficient dwelling and contributing to housing supply, resulting in dismissal despite the site qualifying as grey belt and the proposal being in a sustainable location.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy BAS GB1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 57Paragraph 143Paragraph 155Paragraph 110Paragraph 11
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 Basildon Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Dismissed28 October 20266011326Rose Cottage, Coxes Farm Road, Billericay, CM11 2UA
- Dismissed5 August 20266007124Land at the Rear of Holly Lodge, Church Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, Billericay, CM11 1RR
- Allowed1 July 20266006402Land East of Bells Hill Road, Basildon, SS16 5JT
- Dismissed8 June 20266007001Land at Meadow Sweet, Oak Road, Billericay, CM11 2YE
- Allowed18 March 20263371799London Road, Basildon, SS16 4SQ
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.