Infill Dwelling in Basildon’s Green Belt Allowed on Appeal
We are delighted to have recently won a planning appeal for an infill dwelling in Basildon’s Green Belt in Essex. We put forward a strong case to the Planning Inspectorate, highlighting that Basildon Council had misunderstood the Green Belt planning policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. We are so pleased that the Planning Inspectorate agreed and subsequently allowed this development.
The Planning Issue – Did the proposed development amount to infill development?
In making their decision against the proposed infill dwelling, Basildon Council cited two reasons for refusal. The first claimed that the proposed development did not amount to limited infilling in the Green Belt and the second suggested that the development would increase density and conflict with the prevailing spacious character of the area.
Our appeal statement addressed these reasons for refusal and demonstrated how the proposed scheme responded to the planning requirements set out in the NPPF and the adopted and emerging local plans.
Infill Development in the Green Belt: Planning Considerations
National planning policy allows limited infilling, in the Green Belt villages. The key planning tests to consider were whether the proposed dwelling would be in a village; would represent infilling; and would that infilling be limited.
To demonstrate that the settlement could be deemed to be a village, we:
Set out planning precedent and case law to demonstrate that the settlement in question did in fact amount to be a village.
We provided contextual evidence to highlight that the settlement contained the facilities normally associated with a settlement.
We provided historical evidence to prove that the settlement has long been regarded as a village, contrary to the claims made by the Basildon Council.
To demonstrate that the proposed dwelling amounted to limited infilling, we provided a contextual assessment of the village, giving consideration to plot widths and density levels etc. We were also able to draw upon Basildon’s own local plan evidence base that provided further contextual evidence. We were therefore able to prove that the dwelling would amount to limited infilling in the Green Belt, in line national planning policy.
This thorough approach to the appeal process and associated evidence gathering allowed us gain the planning appeal win for an infill dwelling in Basildon’s Green Belt.
Contact Us
Do you own land in the Green Belt? And are you looking to explore possible development opportunities that may exist? If so, please contact us a mail@adpltd.co.uk or use the form below to understand how we can assist you and your project.
