Planning appeal decision
L/A 1 Caldecote Road, Newnham, Baldock, SG7 5JZ
Planning appeal 6007832 at L/A 1 Caldecote Road, Newnham, Baldock, SG7 5JZ (North Hertfordshire) was dismissed on 29 July 2026 by Inspector N Bowden, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed dwelling would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Newnham Conservation Area.
one dwelling and associated external works
- Authority
- North Hertfordshire
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- N Bowden
- Postcode
- SG7 5JZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed dwelling would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Newnham Conservation Area
What decided it
The removal of the open and sylvan setting at this location would undermine the defining feature of the conservation area—the evolution from tightly knit development at The Green to more spacious layouts at the village fringes—and this heritage harm provides a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework despite the housing land supply shortfall.
The benefits of providing a new dwelling on previously developed land were outweighed by the less than substantial harm at a moderate level to the character and appearance of the Newnham Conservation Area, with heritage protection providing a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy HE1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 212Paragraph 215
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 North Hertfordshire
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed7 October 20266009246Woodcotes, Fears Green, Sandon, SG9 0QZ
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.
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