Detailed design conflicts with information supporting outline permission

The site occupied a sensitive location, an inspector determined, and an indicative layout submitted at outline stage offered an appropriate response by providing a transition from the built form to open countryside. This included a central green corridor as well as areas of open space lining the southern boundary. However, the reserved matters included a green corridor which was reduced in width and this would be interrupted by two plots thereby separating the physical and visual link between the site, the village and the countryside beyond. These plots together with two additional blocks would also introduce a substantial amount of development adjacent to the southern boundary resulting in an awkward and abrupt transition from the built form to the open countryside. This would harm the character and appearance of the area and was compounded by the quality and amount of communal private amenity space proposed for eight flats. The space would be limited, narrow and sinuous which would render it of little value to occupants. Notwithstanding an acceptable flood risk strategy and adequate parking the inspector decided that the appeal should be dismissed.

Inspector: Graham Jones; Hearing