Planning permission was granted on appeal for an oak-framed dwelling and cartlodge garage in Suffolk.
The site lies outside the settlement boundary of an East Suffolk market town where Local Plan policies restrict development. However, it was considered well-related to the town. The site, formerly a plant nursery, was deemed to have limited contribution to landscape character.
The Inspector concluded that the proposed dwelling would fit within the residential context of the surrounding area and would not harm the character and appearance of the area. Additionally, the siting of a dwelling in this location would align with the locational strategy of the Development Plan.
The proposal included a planning obligation to secure the dwelling as self-build, and the Council acknowledged insufficient permissions for self-build plots. With the Planning Obligation in place, the Inspector afforded significant weight to the self-build nature of the proposed development.
The site also falls within the zone of influence for several Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). However, potential adverse effects from recreational disturbance were mitigated through contributions to the Suffolk Coast Habitats Regulations Assessment Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS).
While the proposal was found to conflict with certain local plan policies regarding location, significant weight was given to the self-build aspect and the legal agreement ensuring compliance.
The appeal was allowed, and planning permission was granted with conditions to address specific concerns.
The design of the dwelling and planning application were prepared by PJT Design Ltd, with J & J Design handling the Planning Appeal on behalf of the landowners.
