DC Casebook: Housing new build - Log chalet impact equated to caravan

Planning, 11 July 2008

The council had issued a lawful development certificate for the siting of a caravan in 2006. The appellants argued that a caravan of comparable size to the chalet could be sited in the same position and that this provided a significant fallback. The council agreed that while the previous caravan was of modest proportions, any that met the statutory definition could lawfully replace the chalet.

The inspector reasoned that it was not necessary to establish whether the chalet was of greater or lesser proportions than the largest permissible caravan but whether its impact on the local scene would be materially worse. He considered that it was no more intrusive in the rural landscape because it was well screened by topography and woodland, while the timber logs and slate roof were less obtrusive than the materials that might be anticipated in a caravan.

The council sought to distinguish between the temporary nature of caravans and the permanency of the chalet dwelling. The inspector, however, asserted that any caravan would be likely to form an equally permanent feature.

DCS Number 100-055-747

Inspector Bob Gardener; Inquiry.