®Planning appeal decision
Plot HD587047 of Lot B2A, Upper Bourne End Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RR
Planning appeal 6011489 at Plot HD587047 of Lot B2A, Upper Bourne End Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2RR (Dacorum) was dismissed on 2 October 2026, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
the change of use of land from agricultural pasture to an outdoor wellbeing/therapeutic recreation use (daytime, appointment-only), including the siting of one moveable ancillary consultation/office unit (Canopy ‘Aspen Office’), with no overnight accommodation, no hardstanding, no permanent service connections, and a sealed off -grid welfare/toilet arrangement with off-site disposal (no discharge to ground), and no client parking on the land (maximum one operator/volunteer vehicle on site at any time)
- Authority
- Dacorum
- Appeal type
- Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- leisure-sport
- Postcode
- HP1 2RR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- the effect of the proposal on highway safety
- if the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The proposed building does not constitute an appropriate facility for outdoor recreation under Policy GB7 of the Framework and would harm the openness of the Green Belt, combined with unresolved highway safety concerns due to lack of adequate parking provision, such that very special circumstances do not exist to justify the inappropriate development.
The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, harm to highway safety, and harm to character and appearance were not clearly outweighed by the benefits of the therapeutic and welfare facility, so very special circumstances do not exist.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy GB6Policy GB7Policy CS5Policy CS8Policy CS12
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Dacorum
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Dismissed26 October 20266003892Bulbourne Wood, New Road, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LN
- Allowed14 October 20266006896Apsley Depot, Ebberns Road, Apsley, HP3 9RE
- Dismissed28 August 20266010273118 A Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8AL
- Notice upheld14 July 20263350930Land Adjancet to The Old Brickworks, Spring Garden Lane, Northchurch, Herts, HP4 3GY
- Dismissed13 July 2026600572287 Chambersbury Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8BD
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.