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Green Belt appeal decisions Housing – Redevelopment of brown field sites |
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Updated 11 May 2007, this page includes various recent
decisions on appeals against refusal of planning consent. Summarises
of appeal decisions arising from refusal of planning consent are available at www.Planning Reource.co,uk/dcs,
with a copy of the decision
letter also available for a fee.
Housing appeals have been split into four categories, namely:
· New (green field) including re-use of agricultural land
· New (brown field) being the redevelopment of other categories of land
· Conversions, being the conversion of an existing building, with perhaps an extension.
· ‘Other’ is a miscellany such as extensions, outbuildings, walls, access and other items not covered by the three main categories.
The category decision is ours, and you may disagree! Some cases are hard to categorise, so it may be worth checking out the others.
'SoS' = Secretary of State. 'DETR' is now ‘DCLG’ = Dept for
Communities and Local Government
Colliery regeneration refused in S Yorks GB. Most of the 4.6ha site was open
having previously been used for coal stockpiling. 1ha would be used for employment and the rest
for housing. It would restore the
damaged and derelict land and help with local housing needs. The Inspector decided the brown filed nature
of the land had no bearing and there
were no overriding need to sanction the release of additional housing land nor
pressure for employment. The community
and environmental benefits were insufficient to justify the scheme.
Homes refused at Beds GB lime works. The 4ha former chalk quarry was
now an active lime hydrating plant, The
proposals were to demolish all buildings and erect 40 homes. The appellant claimed it would enhance the visual
amenity and increase openness by removing the buildings. While agreeing these points, the Inspector
decided the buildings had become part of the landscape and a reminder of the
past chalk quarrying. Housing would
introduce an incongruous suburban feature.
To justify housing as more attractive could be repeated across the
countryside and was not a very special circumstance. There were significant benefits from the
offer to restore the kilns and manage the adjacent wildlife site, but the site
was relatively unsustainable being largely car depend.
Mixed use of 3 sites in
Sheltered homes refused in
Redevelopment of flatted house refused in Berks
GB. The 1.4ha site
contained a house divided into 12 flats.
The proposal was to demolish the house, outbuildings, greenhouses etc and
erect a Queen Anne-style house containing 15 flats, a separate courtyard
development of 5 houses and 35 car spaces.
The overall size would be similar.
The Inspector recommended approval being previously developed, reduced
area, significantly reduced hardstandings, and increased openness. The need to
preserve the environmental quality outweighed the low density. The DPM disagreed since the density was only
14 dwellings per ha, compared with PPG3 minimum of 43 on this site. Also there were only 3 units for key workers,
and the ratio should have been based on the total number, not the increase in
numbers. The location was unsustainable
being remote from shops, services and bus routes. DDS 100040042. 13.1.06
Hospital redevelopment refused in Bucks GB. The proposal was to
develop the Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital with 191 dwellings, including
42 affordable homes, on part of the 7.3ha site.
The local plan supported development in the Green Belt as long as it
increased the openness. Outline permission
had been granted for 135 dwellings, which the Inspector thought important. However the site was inherently
unsustainable, generating more car journeys, justifying refusal. The ODPM agreed.
Homes at Staffs GB sports club approved. The proposal was to
demolish buildings on the 1.1ha site and build 5 dwellings, reducing floor area
from 730sqm to 205sqm, and volume from 2408 m3 to 1240 m3. the DPM agreed that removal of hard standings
etc would increase the openness and visual amenity of the GB. The new homes would be close to others. This plus improved landscaping were very
special circumstances.
24 dwellings approved in
Housing refused on
Higher density housing refused at
Housing allowed at Middx GB research site. The 11 ha site
contained several large buildings of varying ages which were gradually being
vacated as users moved to new facilities.
The DPM approved housing on about 5ha with the rest becoming open space,
landscaping and footpaths to the adjoining common. A condition limited the housing area to
comply with
Haulage yard cannot be used for housing in Essex
GB. The very special circumstances claimed
were that the haulage yard was unrestricted by planning controls and had
adversely affected local community amenity.
It would use previously developed land and the site had been earmarked
for housing in the draft District Plan before it was withdrawn. The Inspector
decided none of these, singly or collectively, were very special circumstances
and the small housing estate would be more likely to erode the openness since
dwellings would be scattered over the site instead of the current grouping in
the centre. DCS 100037214. 10 June 2005.
Homes & golf club refused at Staffs GB. The proposal was to
demolish an existing clubhouse to provide housing and fund a new clubhouse, a
maintenance shed and course improvements.
The argument was that the housing would have the same footprint as the
existing clubhouse and the new clubhouse facilities for outdoor sport,
complying with PPG2. The Inspector
decided there would be a significant increase in built development reducing the
openness of the GB. The funded
improvements were not very special circumstances, and there would not be any
significant benefits to the public as a whole.
DCS 100037064.
Conversion of agricultural buildings to holiday
homes refused in Cheshire GB.
No substantial evidence was produced to show that a particular
agricultural had been in mind for work already carried out on the
buildings. The appellant claimed it was
a agricultural permitted development under section2 of GPDOm1995 but the
Inspector disagreed. It was not
permitted development and the building had been altered to encourage the works
to take place. Apart from the steel
frame, little else would remain. In
effect it was the erection of a new building.
DCS 54487464 Oct 2004.
Walsall/Birmingham GB former hospital approved
for housing. The DPM agreed with
the Inspector’s recommendation for up to 445 houses on this 65ha site
between Walsall and Birmingham. The
grade 11* listed hall and immediate grounds were outside the appeal site and
were key elements of a conservation area.
Until 1997 the hall housed mentally ill patients. The site was near shops etc and had good
public transport links, and approved measures would resolve access, traffic and
congestion problems. It met PPG3
requirements and include significant numbers of social housing. Although inappropriate in the GB it would
reduce pressure on other green field sites, and the harm to the GB by way of
increased height of buildings was outweighed by an overall increase in
openness. Re-instatement of parkland and
removal of derelict buildings would preserve the character of the conservation
area. These were sufficiently very
special circumstances to warrant approval.
DCS 30680741.. Oct 2004.
Housing on former airfield refused in
Cambridgeshire. Not in GB but refused
because the poor accessibility by non-car means of transport made it
unsustainable. Revisions to PPG3 and
PPG13 overrode the 1998 permission for 12 houses on the site. DCS 52614748.
Sept 2004.
Some permitted development rights re-instated
for Kent GB house.
Permission had been granted for a replacement bungalow with conditions
preventing extensions, external alterations, enclosure or a swimming pool in
the garden. The bungalow was 129& bigger that the original. The Inspector agreed that extensions or
curtilage buildings would be inappropriate.
New windows, roof lights to enable use of the roof space would not have
any significant effect and he re-instated these rights. DCS 35230748.
August 2004.
Surrey GB replacement house can have
additions. The Inspector allowed
retention of a porch, screen wall, pergola, gazebo and portico at a replacement
house despite the council’s arguments that they were excessive and
undermined the openness. The original
house of 496 m2 was replaced by one of 1,497 m2 excluding garden structures and
buildings. The Inspector agreed that all
except the gazebo were inappropriate but they were embellishments complementing
and completing the new dwelling, improving its appearance and proportionate to
the size of the approved building. Their
relatively minor nature and the visual improvement were a very special
circumstance. However he removed all
General Permitted Development Rights.
DCS 58195297. August 2004.
Surrey GB housing estate refused at former
ammunition depot. The former WW2 ammunition
depot contained 8 bunkers, agricultural buildings and hard standings. The appellant argued that the development
would increase green areas from 4,800 m2 to 6.800 m2. The Inspector noted a 25% increase in the
built footprint and the 76 new houses would be two storey high. The gardens would not be ‘open’
and the domestic buildings would have an urban effect. It was unsustainable being poorly related to
shops, employment and other services including public transport. DCS 52985451.
August 2004.
Staffs GB housing refused – wall garden
improvement not v.s.c. Improvements to the
locally important walled garden were not sufficiently very special
circumstances to justify building 4 houses on a former nursery site. The appellant claimed it would ensure the
long-term survival of this only surviving remnant of a kitchen garden of a
former manor house. The wall was not
listed nor in a conservation area. The
harm to the openness of the countryside and character of the area by the
housing would be substantial. DCS
31777582. June 2004.
N Yorks GB hospital site refused for
housing. Despite the Major
Developed Site designation the DPM refused plans for 34 dwellings on the site
of a former hospital. The appellant
argued the scheme met paragraph C4 of PPG2, it would increase openness, promote
access to the countryside, restore degraded land and reduce the volume of
building on site by 65%. The Inspector
did not think it met all of paragraph C4’s criteria, in particular
outside sports and recreation, and some buildings would be higher than the
original ones. It failed to meet the
sequential approach to housing land release, and would have an adverse effect
on an AONB at Nidderdale. The DPM
agreed. DCS 33461213. June 2004.
Replaced care home site OK for housing. The original care home
was demolished in 2001 and permission granted for a 60-bed replacement
elsewhere, creating a very special circumstance. The proposed 2-storey block of 24 flats and
36 car spaces on the site would be smaller than the original building, and
would provide a range of unit sizes promoting a more mixed and socially
inclusive community. DCS 3424096. April 2004
West Yorks GB housing estate would harm village
character. The proposal was to
convert a 19th century mill into 12 flats plus 30 new dwellings on
an adjacent site. The Inspector accepted
the mill conversion which retained the character of the building but the new
development would increase the dispersal and height of development across the
site. The relocation of the site’s
industrial occupiers to a purpose-built factory funded by the housing sale, the
potential dereliction of the premises and fallback position of unconstrained
general industrial use were not sufficiently special circumstances to allow the
scheme. The loss of the mill and the conventional
terraced housing estate would diminish the character of the village. The loss of the mill would detract from the
choice and mix of employment sites.
Although the premises might not suit their present occupiers, others
would find them suitable. It conflicted
with the development plan and PPG7 advice supporting a better balance between
employment and housing in rural communities to promote sustainable development. DCS 55588294.
April 2004.
Manchester GB mill homes refused. 117 new homes were
refused on the site of a 1920’s mill in a GB river valley, being harmful
to the character and appearance of the
area. The design was driven by highways
requirements and reflected more substantial suburban locations. The resulting footprint was less than the
mill’s but it would be an uninteresting and unworthy addition to the
valley. It would not have any greater
impact on the openness but would not improve access to the countryside or
provide outdoor sports and recreation.
It qwould not enhance the landscape or be an environmental
improvement. DCS 29989202. April 2004.
Five houses on Kent AONB refused. At a farm in the Kent Downs AONB permission
was granted in 1991 for use of buildings for light industrial storage and
distribution. They were used for car
importing etc for about 75 vehicles a month.
The Inspector recommended the replacement by housing because of the
reduction in vehicle movements and a likelihood of more intense industrial use
if permission was refused, and an
enhanced visual appearance of the AONB by extinguishing a bad neighbour
use. The DPM refused permission,
deciding the existing use did not harm the environment by virtue of the scale
of activity and traffic movements, so it was not a bad neighbour, and the
remoteness of the site made in unsustainable.
DCS 34569959. April 2004.
Redevelopment of waste transfer station land for
housing in Surrey GB refused. It was proposed to
build 12 flats and 33 houses on the site. It would contravene GB policies by
contributing to sprawl of a large built-up area and encroach into the
countryside, but would have a neutral effect on openness. It was unsuitable for business use and
current had a severe adverse impact on the neighbours due to smell, dust, noise
and other disturbance. The redundant
buildings were ill-suited for conversion which in any case was likely to be
uneconomic. The loss of employment land
was acceptable. Although there was a
good service to the site the occupants would be car-dependent to reach local
facilities. The Inspector’s
reservations were about the poor links to local facilities, lack of information
about whether the existing business could be relocated, and licence controls. If all the licence controls had been
exercised and the site remained a bad neighbour then that would add weight to
very special circumstances, but the controls had not been fully applied, so
that argument was unproven. DCS
36590146. June 2004.
Four homes refused on Little Chef site in Surrey
GB – The 0.42 acre
site contained two 4-bed houses and the former restaurant. The applicant and council acknowledged that
it was an inappropriate development but the site needed regeneration,,
justifying a 32% increase in floor space and 28% increase in volume. Density was < 10 per hectare but an
improvement on the existing <5 per hectare., and was the maximum
achievable. The DPM and Inspector agreed
that no very special circumstances had been given and it was not sustainable
being some distance from services and the occupiers would be car-reliant. The DPM accepted car spaces above 1.6
recommended in PPG3 because of poor public transport and the figure was meant
to be an average over the LA area, not a site maximum. However the development would reduce the
openness of the countryside by consolidating sporadic development, and there
was no specific need for the housing.
DCS 30536064 March 2004.
Housing OK at milk depot – In Surrey GB, 9
dwellings were approved on a former milk storage and distribution depot. The appellant agreed the site was within the
village curtilage so it was infill. The
Council disagreed and was inappropriate development. The Inspector decided it was limited infill
so no very special circumstances were needed.
DCS 52959440. Feb 2004
Cheshire GB housing instead of odour from
livestock – The 29 homes on the edge of a village would have a smaller footprint than the existing
farm buildings and slurry lagoons. The
site was not defined as previously developed per PPG3, but it did have existing
buildings so it was not green field under PPG3.
Many houses in the village were unpleasant to live in, and the removal
of smell from intensive farming was a very special circumstance, re-enforced by
increased openness, provision of affordable housing and improved
landscaping. This conforms to previous
decisions on the removal of a cause of severe amenity harm. DCS 334475581
March 2004.
House replacement of warehouse refused – In Merseyside
GB, there were no very special circumstances to outweigh the harm to the GB. Attempts to sell the
warehouse had been unsuccessful and the asbestos roof made it unsuitable for
food storage. Most of the building was
to be demolished and the house would have a smaller volume and footprint. The new building would be more prominent
being further forward and taller, having a greater effect on openness than the
dimensions suggested. Refusal of
permission would not necessarily lead to a derelict building. It could be used for other purposes. DCS 33905706.
March 2004.
House to replace Herts GB kennels – removal of
the noisy business was a very special circumstance. The house was inappropriate but the 150-place
kennels generated more activity and traffic than a house. GBs are not intended to be devoid of all
commercial activity and there can be appropriate locations for many
enterprises. These kennels were beside a
straight and sometimes busy section of road, but this was a chance to remove a
source of noise which intruded into the peace and quiet that neighbours might
expect in such a rural location. DCS
55455368 October 2003.
2 houses down and 15 up refused next to Worcs GB – The site
bordered the GB and the development would harm the character of the area and
create an undesirable precedent. The
area had a high environmental quality and the scheme would be out of character
with the relatively low-density existing housing. It would be an incursion into the
well-defined rear garden land, and could lead to copy-cat developments in the
long rear gardens along the road which would be difficult to refuse. DCS 36021523
October 2003.
Bath GB mixed proposal refused despite benefits
– The rejected scheme would have provided business
floor space and 19 live-work units on an industrial site south of Bath on a
sensitive position. It was on the edge
of a built-up area alongside a main route into the city and a gateway into the
world heritage site. The existing
footprint of 2,805 sqm would be replaced by 2,586 sqm. The Inspector accepted the proposal dealt
with a long standing problem site which had a dilapidated and unkempt
appearance. He did not think it would
materially harm the openness of the GB countryside or prejudice the reasons for
including the land within it. The DPM
disagreed, noting the land was not a major developed site, and that PPG2 was
only a guide. The bulk and mass of the
buildings would increase, reducing openness.
The removal of a silo etc was offset by increased hard standings and
parking areas. The proposal had an urban
feel compared with the current neutral effect.
An acceptable scheme would need very special circumstances but the
proposed fallback position was not enough.
It would not comply fully with PPG13 so the DPM refused permission. DCS 53906044
Aug 2003.
Affordability of homes did not outweigh harm to
Met. GB – It was proposed to use the site of a house
and paddocks to provide 29 affordable homes for which there was a local
demand. The Inspector noted the need was
for 16 to 24, not 29. The development
would reduce the openness of the countryside.
A condition controlling occupancy as suggested in Circular 6/98 was
inappropriate because no social landlord was involved. The owner would not have his Human Rights
contravened because the interests of the general public and harm caused were
greater than the owner’s rights.
DCS 23715813. June 2003.
Housing refused on Bristol GB hospital – A previous refusal
was overturned by the High Court, but a second application has also been
refused for 250 homes proposed by Barratt Homes Ltd & Taywood Homes
Ltd. In October 2001 the DPM refused
permission because the site was not within or immediately adjacent to a
settlement so it failed to comply with the preferred location for now housing. He now ruled that meeting a housing shortage
did not outweigh the need to create more sustainable patterns of development
and reuse of land within urban areas in a sequential approach to site
selection. This site was inappropriate,
reducing the openness and visual amenity, and car-dependent, but it was a finely
balanced case. The emerging local plan
identified this site as a major developed site within the GB suitable for up to
225 dwellings but there had been numerous objections including one from GO-SW. The site scored lowly against
Warehouse replaced by house in Merseyside GB – the house
would have a smaller footprint and volume compared with the warehouse,
increasing the openness. Although the
warehouse looked like a typical agricultural storage building it was a discordant
feature in a gap between two substantial houses, and the new hose would not
have an urbanising effect.
Edward Ware New Homes v SoSTLR decision - E Ware Ltd proposed to build 10 houses and integrated office space on 1.7ha on a former industrial site & mushroom farm in the Bristol GB. The Inspector refused permission and the High Court agreed. However the Court of Appeal overruled this decision, agreeing that the Inspector had erroneously concluded the site had limited potential for re-use for employment purposes, even though this had been discussed at the inquiry, so it was procedurally unfair. The High Court had thought sufficient evidence had been considered. the Court of Appeal decided that the expert witnesses for the council and appellant had not been asked to give a view on this point so it was unfair for the inspector to rely on it. 16 April 2003 ref C1/2002/0102
Larger dwelling refused in Herts GB - In 1991 permission was given to replace a 380 msq
wooden chalet with a house of 988msq. The area was transferred in 2001 to
another local authority who said a newly approved dwelling of similar size was
not being built in accordance with the plans. The Inspector held that such an
increase should not have been approved, and the actual building was 12% larger
than approved. The cumulative increases would harm the openness and there were
no very special circumstances.
Larger dwelling in GB approved due to enhancement - In the Surrey GB, a 196 msq dwelling was approved to
replace a 123 msq dwelling even though it was inappropriate in the GB. It would
enhance the character and appearance of a conservation area, making a very
special circumstance. It would enclose a village green that was of particular
visual importance, contrasting markedly with the open countryside beyond.
GB flats in Heathrow flight path refused - It was proposed to replace a 297msq
coach depot with flats with a footprint of 332msq. the new building would be
slightly higher and wider, and would reduce the openness of the countryside.
DoT circular 1/2002 was against new or replacement development in the public
safety zone for Heathrow Airport, and no residential buildings should be
permitted. Although users of the building would fall from 30 to 15, the flats
would be occupied at night as well as daytime. Noise levels would be excessive.
House allowed on commercial storage site in GB -
The local council,
in Hertfordshire, said that a significant oversupply of housing compared with
the District Plan enabled the council to refuse new permission because of the
cumulative effect. However the draft structure plan proposed an increase in
housing. The Inspector decided that a blanket refusal of windfall sites was not
justified, The continued commercial use of the site was not material and the
new dwelling would not reduce the openness of the area. March 2003.
Housing cannot replace
GB pub site cannot be used for housing - The 8 houses would be built as a cluster
like a farmstead. The planning authority accepted it was inappropriate in the
GB but this was outweighed by very special circumstances of removal of the pub
and large areas of hardstanding which would increase the openness of the
countryside. The Inspector agreed but the DPM called it in and refused
permission. the increased height from one to two and a half storeys would
suburbanise it, eroding the openness. Also the density was too low at less than
30 dwellings per ha. It would be heavily car-dependent and 3.5 car spaces per
dwelling was unjustified. Walsall MBC 30 Oct 2002.
Housing allowed at Sheffield GB school - the DPM allowed 27 dwellings and a new
playing field at a school in the Sheffield GB, since it would increase the
openness and reuse previously developed land i.e. disused school buildings.
Although the buildings would be higher the footprint would be 37% less,
increasing the overall sense of openness making a very special circumstance
(VSP). Other VSPs included the continued deterioration of the existing
buildings due to incapability of economic reuse. Although the search
requirements of
Gatwick zoo to become GB housing - The owner of a long-established small zoo
wished to retire and sell it to a large company who planned to treble visitor
numbers. The local authority felt this would harm the setting of a nearby
village and supported redevelopment for housing. An application was made to
demolish all buildings on the 4ha site and put houses on just 1.1ha,
significantly increasing the openness of the area. Vehicle movements should
reduce from 72,000 pa to 42,000, benefiting the environment and safety on the
narrow rural roads. At 19 dwellings per ha. it was consistent with
Bristol GB industrial site refused for housing - The 0.8ha site was used for processing agricultural lime and contained building with 1,447 sqm floorspace, and a B2 industrial use. The planning authority supported an application for 11 homes, the developer arguing that it would enhance the openness and visual amenity of the green belt. It would reduce the traffic movements, was a reasonably sustainable location, and used previously developed land. The Inspector agreed the neutral effort on openness and environmental and landscaping benefits were a very special circumstance. However it did not meet the sequential approach to new housing development, and had poor public transport to jobs, shops and services. There was no affordable housing provision and the density was less than half the PPG3 figure of 30 per ha. It should be possible to increase the density without compromising the openness. The SoS agreed noting that the large detached houses in the countryside were contrary to PPG7. S Glocs C 4 July 2002. DCS 32109475
Housing refused at Staffs iron foundary in green belt - The Sos called in a Cannock-Chase-DC supported application for 8 houses in two rows of four dwellings totalling 1350 sqm plus 614sqm of garages. On the edge of a village in the Staffs green belt, the site contained various 19th century buildings mainly built of brick. The applicant said it was a previously used site and visually unattractive, so the houses would remove a heavy industrial use from the green belt, improving the openness of the countryside and its visual amenity. The Council said it was not a major developed site in the green belt but the MDS criteria of PPG2 provided a useful starting point for assessing acceptability. The Inspector noted that, although no longer operational, the foundry use could be resumed. Even if PPG2 annex C was applicable the scheme did not meet that criteria, being spread to a much greater extent than the existing buildings and hard standings. It would not be more open because the proposed footprints, which had to included the garages, exceeded the existing 1120 sqm. It had not been proven that this was the only option available. It did not comply with PPG3 (Housing) on the location of new dwellings, and did not comply with the sequential approach to the location of new housing. Also residents would be car-dependent. Cannock Chase DC 27 May 2002. DCS 36263733.
Low density large houses in green belt disallowed - Industrial buildings on 3.25ha site on the edge of Widnes were to be demolished and 36 houses built, a density of 16 per ha, well below PPG3 levels. The Inspector said it would extend the choice of housing and the reduction in built development would increase the openness. Although a higher density could be achieved the judged the scheme to be acceptable. The SoS overruled saying the density was too low and it was necessary to maximise the use of previously developed land eevn in the green belt. It did not incorporate good design& did not focus on the quality of the place and living environment created with too much priority to the vehicle movement and parking. Halton BC 7 May 2002/ DCS 51065111
Oldham mill conversion to residential approved - Approval given to convert the Royal George Mills, Oldham to 28 flats, a business unit and 38 terraced houses. The Council refused permission saying that the mill conversion was OK but the new houses would harm the openness of the green belt, and wanted fewer houses. the Inspector said the site was not designated as a Major Developed Site in the District Plan so annex C of PPG2 did not apply, but this annex gave useful guidance on openness. The proposed scheme involved demolition of 4,687 sqm buildings being replaced by 1,633 sqm housing, some being higher than the demolished buildings but all lower that the 3 storey mill. There would be a small gain to openness. The Inspector did not accept that a lack of harm to the green belt was a very special circumstance He ruled that this redevelopment, despite its green belt location, reduced or delayed development of green field land in the area, creating a very special circumstance. Oldham MBC 12 April 2002. DCS 31752264
Chobham warehouse site refused for housing - The Inspector recommended plans to build 23 houses at a warehouse site in the Green Belt at Chobham, Surrey saying that there were very special circumstances. The SoS DETR disagreed because the warehouse might resume being used for commerce, removing the benefit of the scheme. The case went to Court and the Judge agreed with the SoS, saying that the SoS's reasons were not unintelligible or perverse, and the SoS was entitle d to disagree with the Inspector. Charles Church Dev Ltd v Sos DETR 18 April 2002. ref CO/5338/2001
Previously developed Staffs green belt site allowed for housing - The Council claimed a green belt site had no recognised use so it could not be classified as previously developed land. It served an enforcement notice alleging part of the site was used by a coach company and for storage of pallets, tractors, and containers for rent. The Inspector noted an established use certificate dated 1980 for a haulage contractor with ancillary repair and maintenance use etc. He rejected council's arguments that subsequent uses had superseded the lawful uses in the early 1990's and were not themselves unlawful because 10 years had not elapsed. there had been no break in the haulage use. The lawful use and nature of activities were a very special circumstance justifying permission. Impact on openness was speculative because siting, design, and external appearance were reserved matters. Lichfield DC 12 April 2002. DCS 41515743.
Bromley Grade 11 listed building conversion & new houses refused - The main Grade 1 listed Holwood Estate building would be retained but a substantial number of buildings would be demolished for this Green Belt development. The applicant argued that reusing and refurbishing and improvements to the openness of the green belt, due to the demolition, was a very special circumstance. the SoS decided it was inappropriate development of what was not defined as a major developed site. The dispersed nature of the new buildings over a wode area would substantially reduce openness. L/B Bromley 14 Jan 2002 DCS 525541635
Yatscombe Hall, Oxford redevelopment refused - 14 flats, 2 cottages and a gatehouse were refused at Yatscombe Hall, in the Oxford green belt. All buildings except the hall would be demolished. Nearly all parties supported the scheme including the Council and CPRE since it would give a more open character by concentrating development within the site. There would be a 40% increase in footprint and 30% increase in volume but scattered outbuildings would disappear. The SoS held the increases as harmful and greater weight should have been given to an extant planning permission to convert buildings to residential use. the location was not sustainable and residents would be car-dependent. Vale of White Horse DC 13 Nov 2001. DCS No. 36053398.
Ex hospital cannot become housing estate - the SoS refused to allow a 9ha. hospital site in the Green Belt to be used for 250 houses on sustainability grounds. The Planning Inspector had recommended it because of very special circumstances i.e. brownfield site, negligible impact on appearance and character of the surroundings, improved environment, public transport improvements, and housing needs. The SoS placed only limited weight on these factors, and rejected it because the site had no link with any settlement and did not comply with policies on preferred location of new housing. There was a need for a more sustainable pattern of development and re-use of urban land. It would reduce the openness of the countryside and a loss of visual amenity. S Glocs Council 27 Sept 2001. DCS No. 34134946.
Existing greenhouses and sheds not classified as a 'brownfield site' - The SoS refused 10 houses on a horticultural nursery in Staffs Green belt. The local council supported it arguing that it would increase the openness of the area and the housing would be visually less intrusive that the existing glasshouses and timber sheds. The Inspector ruled housing as inappropriate in contrast with the existing agricultural use. Although the site adjoined development on 3 sides, it safeguarded land on the other boundary from encroachment. The glass in the greenhouses mitigated their bulk, and the proposed houses would be 50% taller. This agricultural use did not classify the land as 'previously developed' so it was not a brownfield site. S Staffs DC 11 July 2001. DCS No. 34565439
Housing for independent elderly rejected in Sheffield green belt - The green belt site had extant permission for elderly person in care in either a 72-bed nursing home or in very sheltered units, justified because it met a very special need and only involved part of the appeal site. The SoS rejected an appeal for 106 residential units, including 38 independent living units for the elderly, plus recreational facilities, a pavilion and car park. No very special circumstances were offered to justify the increase and inclusion of general housing, which the Inspector ruled would harm the openness of the countryside. There would be a loss of former industrial buildings on a riverbank designated as an area of special character. The scale of the development would dominate the valley and therefore its heritage and character, changing it to suburbia. Sheffield City Council 24 July 2001. DCS no 35316168
Re-build of fire-damaged dwelling in green belt not justified - The original dwelling was destroyed by fire and demolished 15 years ago. The Inspector ruled that, since there was no existing dwelling, construction of a new dwelling would be inappropriate and harmful to the green belt. the residential use had been abandoned. the appellant's former agent had underestimated, or ignored, the implications of green belt status for its redevelopment potential. Basildon DC 2.7.2001. DCS No. 37082864.
Fire & demolition of dwelling justified its replacement - A dwelling had a fire and then was demolished on health & safety grounds, which were sufficient exceptional circumstances to justify the erection of a replacement, even though it was in the green belt. The appellant did not have any alternative accommodation, and was seriously ill with a progressive disease also amounted to very special circumstances. This outweighed the inappropriate form of development and severely substandard access. South Gloucs Council 29 March 2001. DCS No. 42075924
Napsbury Hospital, St Albans, Herts, approved for predominantly residential use. - Following interim decisions in February 2000, the SoS has issued final decisions in Jan 2001. Originally the SoS raised concerns about the wording and requirements of various agreements. Two appeals were approved, and two refused. St Albans City and DC 26 Jan 2001 Ref. APP/B1930/A/97/280908. DCS No. 33241873
Refusal of 2 dwellings to replace a pub and club - Proposals rejected to replace a vacant pub and nightclub with 2 5-bedroomed two-storey houses in the Metropolitan Green Belt. The Inspector noted that the existing building was mainly single storey. The 4% increase in floor area used for comparison included the existing basement and canopies. The proposal would be far more dominant and reduce the openness of the countryside. Elimination of a commercial use and improved appearance were not 'very special circumstances'. South Bucks DC 12 Feb 2001. DCS No. 42798433.
Glasgow green belt homes approved - 10 areas, totalling 100ha of green belt around Glasgow, will be allocated for 1,800 new executive homes over the next 5 years. Detached family house are in short supply and most of the city's brownfield sites have been redeveloped.
Housing on green belt refused - density too low. - The SOS disagreed with the Inspector's recommendation to approve 121 dwellings on 5.65ha of green belt land in Surrey, formerly MoD married quarters. The Inspector identified two very special circumstances justifying consent. the site had already been developed with an urban appearance, did not contribute to the openness of the countryside, and the new development would materially improve the visual amenities of the area. Density was below 22 dwellings per hectare advised in PPG3 and parking of 2.9 spaces per dwelling was significantly higher than County Council standards. The SoS rejected this because of the less than PPG3 levels for best use of previously developed land, and the redevelopment did not need to match existing densities in the area. The foot-print of a higher-density scheme need not be larger than the proposal, and lower parking provision could be achieved without compromising the quality of the environment and green belt objectives. Tandridge DC 29 Nov 2000. ref GOSE/103/003/TAN/T2
Brownfield site in Green belt refused redevelopment for housing - Within the Bristol Green belt a site was being used for motor vehicle repairs. The Inspector said this was low-key activity and the existing shed was not an overly assertive feature, and vehicles waiting for repair were transient. This existing use did not damage the rural landscape or the essentially open character of the area. The site was not appropriate for new housing since it lay deep within the countryside, residents would be car dependent, and the area was devoid of facilities with poor access to public transport. Although it was a brownfield site, it was not suitable for housing. South Glocs. Council. 11 January 2001. Ref APP/P0119/A/00/1051515
New village rejected in NE London Green Belt - A proposed development of 312 new houses on 24,000 sqm. was rejected by the SoS despite the Inspector's recommendation. The site contained a range of industrial and commercial development as well as housing, but it could not be viewed as a Major Developed Site, though at 18 ha. it was substantial. Redevelopment would remove unsightly low-grade commercial buildings, and contribute positively to improved recreational needs, improved landscaping and restore semi-derelict land.
The SoS said it did not meet the MDS characteristics set out in PPG2, annex C, since it contained a multiplicity of uses, and had few genuine 'village' attributes. The proposed enclosure of rear gardens would not improve the openness of the area. The 14% increase in build footprint was inappropriate increase. While acknowledging that it was a brownfield site, the SoS said it would not assist in urban regeneration, and would increase the need for travel. It was an inappropriate development in the green belt with no very special circumstances to warrant approved. L/B Redbridge 13 Nov 2000 - APP/W578-/V/99/00068.
Replacement house in green belt would have less overall impact than existing premises - In Warwickshire, the Inspector allowed a 469 sqm. replacement dwelling 40% larger than the existing property. because of the reduced impact of residential use on the locality. A replacement 13% bigger had already been approved, and the Local Plan accepted extensions up to 50% of the original floor area. The appeal dwelling would be sited at a lower level and in a less prominent location. Demolition of long-established existing buildings totalling 943 sqm would improve the openness of the locality. Ref - APP/C1625/A/00/1046821 on 30 October 2000.
Classroom size is a material consideration at a mixed use community. - The Four Acres Trust wish to establish a mixed community on a 14.5 ha former school site in the green belt near Grays, Essex. After demolition, they want to build new institutional buildings, dwellings, workshops and change use of a water tower to a cafe, light industrial and leisure use. People with various forms of mental and physical disability would live and work there. The Inspector said it was not a 'major developed site' (MDS) as defined in PPG2, would not encroach into the countryside, and would ensure the continued protection of the green belt.
The Secretary of State's interim decision agreed, since the MDS designation was only in the deposit unitary development plan which had not yet been adopted. Although the scheme was inappropriate, the very special circumstances (use by less disadvantaged people (advantaged?) and other social and community benefits) outweighed the harm to the green belt.
However a proposed S106 obligation was defective because class size is a material consideration. It would be necessary for an appropriate contribution to be made to a primary school. The SoS allowed a further period of consideration by all parties before issuing a final decision.
Housing refused on restored landfill site in Metropolitan
Green Belt - St James Homes
failed in their appeal to build 276 dwellings on a 4.3ha. site at Feltham, west
London (Hounslow) as part of wider proposal on 32.5ha. The Sec of State (DETR)
and his inspector agreed that the local authority had misdirected itself as to
the definition of the green belt area. Where there is a difference between a
proposals map and a written guidance, the latter should prevail. Therefore all
of a link road and part of the accommodation blocks would be within the green
belt and not an area designated for housing. The benefits of landscaping
enhancement and increased public access to surrounding land were not sufficient
special circumstances to justify this development. The development would
dominate views to and from the green belt with four-storey blocks accentuating
its scale and bulk.
Mixed use plan for school site in green belt approved - The Sec of State approved plans to demolish former school buildings to create a mixed use development, but is likely to refuse permission for a single house on the same site. The landowner applied for a mix of residential types, including social housing, at the former Ardale School, North Stafford, near Grays, Essex. They also applied to change the use of existing workshops and a water tower on the site to offices, a cafe, and community facilities, and construct a single dwelling. Thurrock Council failed to determine 2 applications, and refused 2 others on grounds that it was not designated a major developed site and would harm the openness of the green belt. The Appeal succeeded apart from the house which would be too close to a protected tree. The site was earmarked as a new major developed site. Also the floor area would increase by only 900 sq m. and would not encroach into the open countryside.
Housing scheme rejected to protect the green belt. - Brentwood Council rejected plans for housing on commercial land in Essex, since it would harm nature conservation and the open character of the green belt. A developer wanted to demolish an existing building compound and build houses on the site of a former BT depot. It was refused as inappropriate development in the green belt and would harm the ecological value of a site of importance for nature conservation (SINC). However the inspector said that an application for a smaller scheme could have the 'inappropriate development' outweighed if the application were to secure the conservation of the SINC by transferring 'site management to public control through planning obligations'.